Democrats have secured a sweeping, historic victory in this year’s midterm elections, taking full control of both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. According to analysts, the main person responsible for this crushing Republican defeat is President Donald Trump, as voters have grown dissatisfied with the economic situation and his administration’s foreign policy decisions, particularly the war with Iran, which is opposed even by a majority of his own party’s supporters and voters.

All of this has translated into a powerful “blue wave” that has fundamentally changed the balance of power in Washington.

Complete reversal in Congress

Democrats successfully overturned the previous Republican majority in the Senate (53–47), securing at least 51 seats and flipping six states that had previously been controlled by Republicans.

The final balance of power could end up being the exact opposite of what it was before the election. Democrats are projected to win 55, and perhaps even 56, Senate seats, giving them an overwhelming majority.

The House of Representatives will also come under Democratic control after the party managed to make up the three seats it needed to turn the tables. Before the election, Republicans held a narrow 218–214 majority, but that advantage has now been completely wiped out, with the final result potentially amounting to a crushing defeat for Trump’s party.

According to some projections, Democrats could secure a substantial majority of as many as 248 seats, while Republicans are projected to win 187 seats.

Biggest surprises and most closely watched Senate races

Republicans suffered heavy losses in their traditional strongholds. The biggest surprises of the election came in states that have been considered deeply red, or reliably Republican, for decades, including Texas, Kansas, Ohio and Iowa.

Texas sensation: In a race that attracted hundreds of millions of dollars and worldwide attention, Democrat James Talarico pulled off a historic upset, defeating Republican candidate and state Attorney General Ken Paxton. This marks the first Democratic Senate victory in Texas in 38 years, since 1988. Talarico flipped the Senate seat despite Elon Musk’s massive financial involvement on the Republican side.

Shock in Kansas: Democratic candidate and pastor Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall. This is the first time since 1932 that Kansas has elected a Democrat to the Senate.

Upset in South Carolina: Pediatrician Annie Andrews delivered another major surprise by defeating Republican Lindsey Graham, who had inherited the seat following the sudden death of her brother, longtime Senator Lindsey Graham.

Sherrod Brown returns to Ohio: After losing his seat two years ago, Democrat Sherrod Brown managed to defeat Republican Senator Jon Husted and return to the Senate, a rare occurrence in American politics.

Other significant Democratic victories: Roy Cooper secured a Senate seat in North Carolina, while incumbent Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff successfully defended his seat in Georgia, defeating Trump’s ally Mike Collins.

Gubernatorial elections: Major Republican figures go down

Of the 36 states holding gubernatorial elections, Democrats scored several surprising victories in territories where Republicans had been considered favorites.

The biggest gubernatorial shock of the night came in traditionally red Texas. Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa defeated longtime Republican Governor Greg Abbott, becoming the first Democratic governor of Texas in 35 years.

Georgia makes history: Former Atlanta Mayor and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the gubernatorial race in Georgia, becoming the first African American to lead the state in U.S. history.

Democrats win Republican strongholds Iowa and Ohio: Democrat Rob Sand took over the governor’s office in Iowa, while Amy Acton triumphed in Ohio.

First Native American woman governor in New Mexico: Deb Haaland won in New Mexico, becoming the first Indigenous American woman, or Native American, to serve as governor of a U.S. state.

Surprise in Wisconsin: Democrat David Crowley defeated Trump’s ally Tom Tiffany.

Historic night for Democrats in Chicago and Illinois

In Illinois and Chicago, traditionally considered Democratic strongholds, the night was marked by the Blue Party’s overwhelming dominance and several historic milestones.

Juliana Stratton scored a decisive victory in the Senate race. Governor J.B. Pritzker’s lieutenant governor comfortably defeated Republican Don Tracy for the vacant U.S. Senate seat left open after veteran Senator Dick Durbin’s retirement. Stratton thus becomes only the sixth African American woman in history to serve in the U.S. Senate.

Historic third term for J.B. Pritzker: Incumbent Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker convincingly defeated Republican Darren Bailey, winning more than 62% of the vote. With this victory, Pritzker made history as the first Democratic governor of Illinois to secure three consecutive terms.

HISTORIC THIRD TERM IN ILLINOIS: J.B. Pritzker

Illinois seats in the House of Representatives: Democratic lawmakers such as Bill Foster, Daniel Biss, Nikki Budzinski and Delia Ramirez had little trouble defending or winning their seats. In Chicago’s 4th District, Patty Garcia, longtime chief of staff to legendary Congressman Chuy García, successfully succeeded him after he stepped down for health reasons.

Major victory for a Serbian-American: Serbian-American Melissa Luburić Bean scored a decisive victory in today’s election for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, securing a record-breaking fourth term representing her constituents in Washington!

Local elections in Chicago: For the first time in the city’s history, Chicago residents directly voted for the president and members of the Board of Education, marking a major reform of the local education system.

Conclusion: The White House faces a difficult two years ahead

The results of these elections send an unmistakable message to Washington. Losing control of both chambers of Congress, coupled with heavy defeats in red states such as Texas and Kansas, represents a major political blow to President Donald Trump in the second half of his term.

Tekst: Antonije Kovačević Foto: EPA / JIM LO SCALZO, Wikipedia

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