Polls began closing on Tuesday (Nov 3) in the US midterm elections, with Democrats poised to seize the House and potentially the Senate, a result that could weaken President Donald Trump’s hold on Washington and limit his power for the rest of his presidency.
A Republican loss of the House would let Democrats stall Trump’s legislative agenda and launch wide-ranging investigations into his administration, while a Senate defeat would threaten his ability to appoint Supreme Court justices and senior officials. All 435 House seats, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and governorships in 36 states were at stake. Democrats need only three House gains and a net four Senate seats to win both chambers.
As the first polls closed in Kentucky and Indiana, House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the country was on the brink of a dramatic change of direction and predicted Democrats would retake the House.
The vote is widely seen as a nationwide verdict on Trump, as voter mood has turned against Republicans over soaring living costs and the war against Iran. Trump returned to office last year promising lower prices, but inflation, tariffs and fuel costs driven by the Middle East conflict have squeezed Americans. His approval rating, hovering near the low 30s, makes him one of the most unpopular presidents in history. Los Angeles voter Taylor Cook, 24, told AFP that rising rent, groceries, utility bills and property taxes were her main concerns.
In a final TV phone-in on Fox & Friends, Trump defended his record, saying he had rebuilt the country through his immigration crackdown, the Iran war and tariffs. Republicans argue his tax cuts and anti-migrant stance will benefit voters and have painted Democratic candidates as left-wing radicals, a message that has resonated with some, including Miami voter Maru Restrepo, 70. Polls suggest Trump’s campaigning may have weighed Republicans down. A White House official said Republicans were in a better position than four weeks ago, though Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called Trump’s final speech “pathetic”.
The Senate remains a steep climb for Democrats. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, but the angry mood has extended the battlefield to traditionally conservative states such as Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Ohio and Alaska. Democrats must also defend competitive seats, including in Michigan, where a bitter internal dispute saw congresswoman Haley Stevens endorse Republican Mike Rogers over Democratic nominee Abdul El-Sayed. Decision Desk HQ’s final forecast projected 241 House seats for Democrats to 194 for Republicans, and a narrow 52-48 Democratic Senate majority.
The campaign has drawn more than US$11 billion in political advertising, with Trump ally Elon Musk contributing nearly half a billion dollars to Republican efforts.
Concerns were high that Republicans, particularly Trump, might refuse to accept a loss. Trump, who tried to overturn his 2020 defeat, has repeatedly alleged widespread voter fraud without evidence. On Tuesday, voting machines malfunctioned in a hotly contested House race in New York state, prompting right-wing influencers to make unfounded fraud claims, even as local election officials insisted all ballots would be counted.
