US midterms: 470 seats, $12 billion and one absent president
Washington: Americans go to the polls on November 3 for elections that will shape the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency - although the president himself will not be on any ballot. The “midterms,” held halfway through a president’s four-year term, decide control of Congress as well as governorships and thousands of state-level offices. A Democratic takeover of either chamber would…
On November 3, Americans will cast their votes in midterms that will determine the fate of the final two years of Donald Trump's presidency. Despite Trump not appearing on any ballot, the elections will decide control of Congress, governorships, and numerous state-level offices. A Democratic victory in either chamber would impede Trump's agenda and increase congressional oversight of his administration; a Republican triumph would maintain the party's dominance in Washington. Here are some key statistics from the 2026 showdown:
In the House of Representatives, there are 435 seats up for grabs, with Republicans needing to lose only three seats to prevent a Democratic takeover. Democrats require a net gain of three seats to secure control. The current House composition is 218 Republicans, 214 Democrats, one independent, and two vacancies.
For the Senate and state elections, there are 35 Senate seats being contested, including special elections in Florida and Ohio. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage in the 100-seat chamber, requiring Democrats to gain four seats to reach the 51-seat threshold for control. In total, 36 states are electing governors, and 6,139 state legislative seats across 88 state legislative chambers are up for grabs.
According to recent polls, Democrats have a 53-41 advantage over Republicans among registered voters on which party's congressional candidate they would support. Among independent voters, Democrats lead by 57-32 percent. Trump's approval rating sits between 32-41 percent in major September surveys, marking his lowest approval rating in his political career. Most broadly, 55 percent of registered voters believe Trump's policies have hurt the economy, while 26 percent claim they have helped it.
The midterms are expected to be the most expensive in history, with advertising spending forecast at $12 billion. Ad-tracking company AdImpact predicts $11.6 billion, surpassing the previous midterm record of $8.9 billion in 2022 and the 2024 presidential cycle. California's gubernatorial primary alone is projected to cost $330 million, making it the most expensive gubernatorial race on record.
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