Five Reasons Behind the Republican Defeat

Democrats won a landslide victory in the US midterm elections, seizing control of Congress in a decisive rejection of Donald Trump's presidency. The scale of the Republican defeat signals widespread voter anger across traditionally conservative regions. Rising costs of living and the unpopular war against Iran were key factors, with 79% of voters reporting inflation caused hardship and 63% saying military action against Iran was wrong. Democrats ran disciplined campaigns focused on healthcare and affordability, while Trump's unpopularity hurt Republican candidates. Hispanic and Black voters shifted back to Democrats, with Hispanic-majority counties voting 22 points more Democratic than in 2024. A tight Senate race in Mississippi could elect the state's first Democratic senator since 1982.