US midterms 2026: Democrats eye Congress takeover as anti-Israel progressives seek power
As Americans head to the polls, Trump risks losing control of both chambers of Congress, while Israel faces a growing wave of Democratic opposition in Washington.
In the 2026 US midterm elections, Democrats are aiming to take control of Congress, while anti-Israel progressives seek to gain power. President Donald Trump faces his first electoral challenge since returning to the White House, with Republicans striving to retain control of the House and Senate. The primary concerns for American voters are the cost of living, gasoline prices, immigration, and the ongoing war with Iran. For Israel, these elections could have significant ramifications beyond Trump's political standing.
A new group of Democratic candidates has emerged, many of whom blame Israel for the genocide in Gaza and call for an end to US military aid. This sentiment is particularly visible in Michigan, where Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens endorsed Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers over her own party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. The decision was made after a heated debate over Israel and antisemitism, turning a crucial race into a battle over the future identity of the Democratic Party.
Should Trump lose both chambers of Congress, it would not remove him from the presidency, but the second half of his term could face obstacles such as the blocking of legislative initiatives, budget approvals, and investigations into his administration. Control of the Senate would also enable Democrats to delay or prevent the confirmation of senior appointments by the president.
The most critical race in Michigan is between incumbent Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and a contest between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed, an Egyptian-American Muslim, has emerged as a prominent critic of Israel within the Democratic Party. He accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, opposes US military assistance, and harshly criticizes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's policies.
However, his stance on Israel has created divisions within the party. Rep. Haley Stevens, who initially supported El-Sayed, endorsed Rogers just days before the election due to an advertisement linking US aid to Israel to rising living costs. Stevens described the ad as antisemitic and demanded that El-Sayed disavow its messages.
The incident has sparked outrage among Democrats, questioning whether support for Israel can still serve as a unifying force within the party.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
