By Joke Kujenya
CONTROL OF both chambers of the United States Congress has been seized by Democrats, delivering a sweeping electoral defeat to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the November 3 midterm elections.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that the results are claimed to mark a dramatic reversal of political power in Washington, with Democrats securing majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives while votes continue to be counted in several constituencies.
Latest published figures put the Democrats on 54 Senate seats against 44 for Republicans while in the House, Democrats had secured 228 seats, compared with 139 for Republicans, with 367 of the 435 races called at the time of reporting.
US media reports note that the scale of the Democratic victory extends beyond the national legislature, with several traditionally Republican states recording significant victories for Democratic candidates.
Notably, Texas delivered one of the election’s most striking results as Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in a state that has not elected a Democratic US senator since 1988.
Also, Democrats registered important Senate victories elsewhere as Adam Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall in Kansas, marking the state’s first Democratic Senate victory since 1932.
Sherrod Brown also reclaimed a Senate seat in Ohio, while Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham in South Carolina.
In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins, according to the Guardian’s results coverage.
Aside the congress, the gubernatorial contests also produced historic milestones with Keisha Lance Bottoms becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a US state, while Gina Hinojosa emerged as Texas’s first Latina governor.
Aaron Ford also made history as Nevada’s first Black governor.
Beyond the individual victories, the US midterm results is said to have exposed widespread dissatisfaction with Trump’s leadership, particularly his administration’s handling of the economy.
Exit polling cited by Reuters showed that nearly nine in 10 voters regarded the cost of living as a major or crucial consideration in their voting decisions.
Approximately three-quarters said they were angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country, while 70 per cent wanted Congress to exercise stronger checks and balances on the president.
Others pointed to the economy, inflation, fuel prices and the war with Iran featuring prominently in the election debate.
Opposition-Controlled Congress Sets Up Legislative Battle For Trump
According to analysts, President Donald Trump faces two years of dealing with a Democratic-led Congress, where his administration’s legislative proposals, appointments and policy priorities are likely to encounter stronger opposition.
JKNewsMedia.com further reports that the shift gives Democrats control of the Senate and House of Representatives, opening the way for increased congressional oversight of the administration and investigations into its activities.
Consequently, Trump is said to have to contend with negotiations with opposition lawmakers over legislation, while any attempt to secure congressional approval for his nominees could face resistance.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the party would focus on the cost of living following its election gains. Asked how Democrats would respond if Trump vetoed their proposals, Schumer replied: “Just watch us.”
He also marked the Senate results in a post on X, writing: “54 seats and counting.”
Trump has said he would accept the election results and work with Democrats while he also acknowledged that the war with Iran played a role in the Republican Party’s losses.
Also, the election outcome initially unsettled financial markets as investors assessed the implications of a Democratic-controlled Congress.
Nasdaq futures fell by as much as 2.4 per cent, while S&P 500 futures declined 1.4 per cent before recovering some of their losses.
Daniela Hathorn, senior market analyst at Capital.com, said Trump’s acceptance of the results had eased concerns about prolonged political confrontation and legislative gridlock.
However, she noted that significant policy disagreements remained likely, given the president’s veto powers.
Shares of data centre-related companies also fell in premarket trading, with artificial intelligence spending and regulation emerging as issues of concern during the election.
As things stand, Trump will now have to contend with Democratic majorities in both chambers as lawmakers prepare to take up the administration’s legislative proposals and exercise congressional oversight.
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