Trump’s sinking approval threatens GOP control of Congress in pivotal midterms
With less than three months until the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3, Republicans risk losing control of at least one chamber of Congress as President Donald Trump’s standing with voters declines.
As the U.S. midterm elections loom less than three months away, President Donald Trump's waning popularity threatens to impact GOP control of Congress. The outcome of the November 3 vote could reshape the balance of power in Washington, determine the extent of Trump's legislative agenda, and have significant implications for Ukraine.
Midterm elections, held two years after a president's election, serve as a gauge of public confidence in the president's party and, to some extent, the president personally. The results can drastically alter the political landscape, making it easier or harder for the president to advance their agenda and pass legislation. Historically, the president's party has lost House seats in most midterm elections, with the exceptions of Bill Clinton's 1998 and George W. Bush's 2002 elections.
Democrats aim to expand their presence in Congress to constrain Trump's influence and gain leverage over his legislative agenda. They need to win at least four Senate seats to secure a majority and curtail Trump's influence during his final two years in office. If the Senate is split 50-50, Vice President JD Vance, a close Trump ally, could cast tie-breaking votes as needed.
The Financial Times predicts that about 9-11 of the 35 Senate races on the ballot could be competitive, with Democrats focusing on North Carolina, Maine, Ohio, Alaska, Iowa, and Texas for potential pickups. Meanwhile, Republicans must defend several seats in Michigan, Georgia, and New Hampshire that Democrats could challenge.
Republicans are also fighting to retain control of the House, a goal critical to the Trump administration. If Democrats capture the chamber, they could block much of Trump's legislative agenda and launch investigations into the president and his Cabinet members. Republicans currently hold 218 of the 435 seats, while Democrats hold 212. All 435 seats will be up for grabs in November, with an estimated 38 seats seeing serious competition, representing around 9% of the House.
Democrats have historically won the House in at least five of every midterm election since 1946. A net gain of five Republican-held seats would be sufficient for Democrats to gain the House majority. Governors' races are also drawing attention, as winners could emerge as presidential candidates in 2028. The closest gubernatorial races are expected in Nevada, Iowa, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Kansas.
Written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
