Democrats Retain Georgia, Maine, and Michigan as Trump Approval Plummets
Democrats have secured key Senate seats in Georgia, Maine, and Michigan, threatening Republican control of the chamber. Jon Ossoff won reelection in Georgia, while Troy Jackson and Abdul El-Sayed defeated incumbents or challengers in Maine and Michigan, respectively. These victories, alongside wins in North Carolina, suggest Democrats may flip the Senate majority despite heavy Republican spending. Trump’s low approval rating and voter frustration with the economy and Iran war drove Democratic turnout, while Republican efforts to defend red-state seats in Texas, Kansas, and Alaska remain uncertain.
Key points
- Democrats won Senate races in Georgia, Maine, and Michigan, retaining or flipping critical seats to challenge Republican majority.
- Trump’s approval rating fell to 33-34%, driving voter frustration with the economy, tariffs, and the Iran war.
- Republicans spent over $560 million on ads in 11 battleground races, but Democrats outspent them in several key states like Kansas and Iowa.
- Alaska’s race remains unresolved due to ranked-choice voting and legal disputes over ballot stacking involving two candidates named Dan Sullivan.
- Exit polls show voters in battleground states disapprove of Trump and prioritize party control of the Senate in their voting decisions.
Background
Prior coverage highlighted nine battleground states as pivotal for congressional control, with early voting exceeding 43 million ballots. Concerns about Social Security insolvency by 2032 and libertarian third-party candidates siphoning Republican votes in red states were noted as potential disruptors. Republican candidates had begun distancing themselves from Trump’s tariff policies amid polling panic, signaling internal party tensions.
How outlets are covering it
The Guardian emphasized candidate profiles and ideological clashes, such as El-Sayed’s progressive platform versus Rogers’ moderate stance, and Collins’ moderate Republicanism in a MAGA-dominated era. CNN focused on polling data and spending, noting Democrats’ expanding map and Republicans’ heavy ad buys, particularly in Texas where Elon Musk contributed $168 million. CBS News provided real-time results, confirming Democratic wins in Georgia, Maine, and Michigan, while highlighting unresolved races in Alaska and South Carolina. NBC News framed the Senate majority as under threat but noted Democrats needed to flip at least two states Trump won by double digits, a hurdle they appear to have overcome in several key races.
Why it matters
Control of the Senate determines legislative priorities, judicial confirmations, and policy direction for the final two years of Trump’s presidency. A Democratic majority could block GOP initiatives, while a Republican hold would preserve the current administration’s agenda. The outcome also signals voter sentiment on economic policies, healthcare, and foreign affairs, influencing future elections.
What to watch
Final results for Alaska, Texas, and Kansas are pending, with Alaska’s count potentially delayed due to ranked-choice voting. Legal challenges in Alaska over ballot integrity may extend the resolution. Congressional leaders will assess the Senate’s new balance of power, and Trump’s administration may adjust policy priorities based on the chamber’s composition. Democrats will likely push for legislative changes on healthcare and economic issues, while Republicans may focus on defending their remaining seats.
- The candidates who will decide the US midterm elections The Guardian
- U.S. Senate Midterm Election Live Results 2026 NBC News
- Democrats aim to retake Senate from Republicans as Americans go to polls The Guardian
- The top 11 Senate seats most likely to flip in the midterms CNN
- Live Senate election results as 2026's top races come down to the wire CBS News
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