Democrats sweep 2026 midterms as Trump's low approval fuels GOP losses
A 62% disapproval rating for the president drove voters to the polls, resulting in Democratic control of both chambers and a historic flip of Texas.
By Tyler Khalil ·
Democratic candidates took control of both the House and the Senate on Tuesday, a result that exceeded pre-election polling projections. The broadcast network and Associated Press voter poll attributed the shift primarily to voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump, whose approval rating had dropped to 36% following the Iran war.
According to the post-election survey, 62% of voters disapproved of the president's job performance. Three-quarters of respondents described themselves as angry or dissatisfied with the nation's direction. Two-thirds of voters stated that Trump's policies worsened economic conditions, while 62% believed he prioritized personal interests over national ones.
The election marked a reversal in the influence of Latino voters. In 2024, Trump lost this demographic by only five points, but the group swung strongly toward Democrats this cycle. Roughly 60% of all voters disapproved of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and 68% of Hispanic respondents expressed similar disapproval with the agency's tactics.
Texas emerged as the central battleground for the 2028 presidential race. Democrat James Talarico won the Senate seat by 12 points, a margin of 1.1 million votes. This victory marks the first time the state has sent a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. Incoming Governor Gina Hinojosa secured the office by 7 points, or nearly 700,000 votes. Democrats also flipped two congressional districts that Trump won by at least 14 points in 2024, along with the offices of lieutenant governor, attorney general, and railroad commissioner.
Republican redistricting efforts failed to insulate the party. Trump encouraged conservative states to redraw maps to gain House seats, a strategy that backfired in south Texas. The changes weakened safe districts and made them competitive, a development analysts are calling a cautionary tale of the dummymander.
Financial spending did not guarantee a win for the minority party. Republicans invested more than $413 million in the Texas Senate race and still lost. The national generic congressional ballot had predicted a Democratic advantage of about 8 points. The final results suggest the Democratic lead was at least 18 points, indicating that polls underestimated the party's support.
New York Senator Chuck Schumer, who is expected to return as majority leader, promised that relief is on the way. Democrats hold the keys to Congress but lack a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Trump posted an image of a red hat with the word VETO on his social media platform just before midnight, signaling his intent to block legislative action.
The party faces internal challenges despite the victory. Democrats hold a 47% favorable rating compared to a 53% unfavorable rating, slightly better than the Republican rating of 41% favorable and 59% unfavorable. The party must manage expectations as it begins oversight of the Trump administration, with potential impeachment attempts looming on the horizon.
