Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s midterm elections, flipping seven Senate seats and dozens of House districts. The results included upsets in red states like Texas and South Carolina, while Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska remained too close to call as of Wednesday. More than 124 million ballots were cast nationwide, surpassing the 2018 midterm record of nearly 119 million.
President Trump congratulated Democrats but said Republicans struggled to turn out his supporters because he wasn’t on the ballot. He posted an image of a red hat reading “VETO” while also expressing a willingness to negotiate. On the Democratic side, Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the first Black speaker of the House if he secures a full chamber vote when Congress convenes January 3. Senate Democrats are expected to organize behind Chuck Schumer.
For Suncoast residents, the shift in power means new committee chairmen with subpoena power, a different dynamic on nominations, and a fresh set of priorities on funding issues that touch coastal communities. The new Congress convenes in January. Until then, two Senate races remain uncalled, and the speaker vote will be the first real test of the new majority. Did you make it to the polls this year? Tell us what drove your vote in the comments.
