Democrats win control of both chambers of US Congress in major midterm election victory

The Democratic Party has won control of both the US Senate and House of Representatives in the November 3 midterm elections, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, according to latest reports by US media and the Associated Press.

Democrats secured a majority in the House, reaching the 218 seats required to control the chamber, while also gaining seven Republican-held Senate seats in Maine, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The Senate victories mark significant political breakthroughs in traditionally Republican states. In Kansas, Democratic pastor Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Senator Roger Marshall, securing the party’s first Senate victory in the state since 1932.

In Texas, James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, marking the first Democratic Senate victory in the state since 1988. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Democrats had not won a Senate election there since 1998.

Other Democratic victories included former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s defeat of Republican Michael Whatley, Sherrod Brown’s return to the Senate after defeating Ohio Republican Jon Husted, and Josh Turek’s victory over Republican Ashley Hinson in Iowa.

In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Republican Senator Susan Collins, giving Democrats another Republican-held Senate seat.

Democrats also retained their Senate seats in Georgia and New Hampshire, with Jon Ossoff winning re-election in Georgia.

The party made substantial gains in gubernatorial elections as well. In Georgia, Keisha Lance Bottoms was elected governor, becoming the first Black woman to hold the office in US history. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott, while Rob Sand won the governorship in Iowa and Amy Acton was elected governor of Ohio.

The Associated Press reported the results reflected widespread voter dissatisfaction with the Republican administration, particularly over economic concerns, high prices and the war with Iran.

President Donald Trump responded to the results by saying Republicans would have won by a landslide had his name been on the ballot.

In a subsequent statement, Trump acknowledged the Democrats’ strong performance and said he was prepared to work with them on issues including immigration.