Democrats' historic midterm wins deliver 'generational defeat' to Trump

Democrats scored historic upsets in the 2026 midterm elections, winning Senate seats in traditionally Republican states and dealing President Donald Trump a "generational defeat." The party broke decades-long losing streaks in Kansas, Texas, South Carolina, and Iowa. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton unseated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall, marking the party's first Senate win there since 1932. Texas saw James Talarico defeat Trump ally Ken Paxton, ending a 32-year Democratic drought, while South Carolina's Annie Andrews and Iowa's Josh Turek also captured Senate seats. Analysts attribute the losses to Trump's low approval ratings and voter frustration over the cost of living crisis. Trump, who claimed he would have won "in a landslide" if on the ballot, signaled he will veto Democratic legislation, setting up two years of gridlock. Mississippi's Senate race remained too close to call, with Democrat Scott Colom potentially becoming the state's first Black senator since Reconstruction.