Democrats Projected to Take House and Flip Red State Senate Seats
Election night projections show a Democratic wave in key states, driven by economic dissatisfaction and a record-low presidential approval rating.
By Luca Harrison ·
Democrats are projected to win control of the U.S. House of Representatives and flip at least six Senate seats in traditionally Republican states.
ABC News projections indicate that Democrats secured enough House seats to take the lower chamber of Congress. The party also won key Senate races in Kansas, South Carolina, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Maine. These victories mark a shift in power away from the Republicans, who currently hold 53 Senate seats compared to the Democratic 47, including independents who caucus with the party.
The political shift comes amid rising economic discontent. An ABC News, Washington Post, and Ipsos poll found President Donald Trump’s approval rating at 37%, the lowest of his current term. His disapproval rating reached a record high of 62%. Additionally, 65% of Americans disapprove of his handling of the economy. This sentiment matches the lowest economic approval rating recorded for former President Joe Biden in September 2023. The backdrop includes a war with Iran, high inflation, and record fuel prices.
President Trump responded to the results on social media and in a phone interview. He posted on X that he was "not on the ballot" and claimed the party would have won in a landslide if he had been. In a separate interview with The New York Times, he stated he is "absolutely willing to accept those results" and expressed readiness to work with the new House leadership. However, he also shared an image of a hat with the word "VETO" on it.
Specific Senate races saw historic outcomes. Democrat James Talarico is projected to win the Texas seat, becoming the first Democrat to win a statewide office in the state since 1988. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews is set to become the first woman elected to the Senate from that state, succeeding the late Lindsey Graham. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated incumbent Susan Collins, who announced her retirement after 30 years of service. In Kansas, megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become the first Black speaker of the House, pledged to push for Supreme Court reform. The Democratic caucus is also aiming to elect at least 100 women to the House, a number that would set a new record. The party currently holds 215 House seats, while Republicans hold 220 under Speaker Mike Johnson. The final tally of the 14 toss-up House races will determine the exact margin of control for the 120th Congress.
