Washington, Nov 4 — A sweeping Democratic blue wave transformed America's political landscape in Tuesday's midterm elections, handing the party control of both chambers of Congress and delivering major defeats to President Donald Trump's Republicans, including in traditionally conservative states that backed him just two years ago.
Democrats captured the House of Representatives and the Senate, overturned seven Republican-held Senate seats and won four Republican Governorships in an election that will reshape Washington's political balance for the remaining two years of Trump's presidency.
By early Wednesday, Democrats had secured at least 54 Senate seats and crossed the 218-seat threshold required for a House majority, according to election projections by CBS News and Fox News.
The scale of the victories surprised political observers as Democrats made inroads across the Midwest, South and traditionally Republican territories, turning contests once considered safe for Republicans into Democratic victories.
The biggest surprises came in Texas and Kansas, two longstanding Republican strongholds.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the state since 1988.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa also defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending more than three decades without a Democratic gubernatorial election victory in Texas.
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall, giving Democrats their first Senate victory in the state since 1932.
Ohio delivered another double blow to Republicans.
Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Senator Jon Husted, reclaiming the Senate seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance.
Democrat Amy Acton defeated Indian-American Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the Governor's race despite strong campaign backing from Trump and Vance. She became the first woman elected Governor of Ohio.
In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson for the Senate, while Rob Sand captured the governorship.
In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson unseated veteran Republican Senator Susan Collins, while North Carolina elected former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper to the Senate.
South Carolina delivered another significant upset, with Democrat Annie Andrews defeating Republican incumbent Darline Graham.
Democrats also retained important Senate seats in Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire. Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan's Senate election, becoming the first Muslim elected to the chamber.
The Democratic advance extended to the House, where Republicans lost seats in competitive districts across Virginia, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania and other states.
Among the defeated Republican incumbents were Jen Kiggans in Virginia, Derrick Van Orden in Wisconsin and Victoria Spartz in Indiana.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes in January, subject to a formal vote.
Democrats also secured gubernatorial victories in Georgia, where former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected Governor in US history, and Iowa, Ohio and Texas.
Republicans retained some important offices, including Florida's governorship, won by Byron Donalds.
Trump acknowledged the Democratic victories in a telephone interview with CBS News.
"My message is, congratulations to the Democrats, and I look forward to working with you for the good of our country," he said.
Trump attributed Republican losses partly to his absence from the ballot and emphasised that he retained presidential veto powers.
Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer celebrated the outcome, saying Democrats had overcome expectations to recapture the chamber.
"Against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate," Schumer said, declaring that "relief is on the way."
He attributed the Democratic gains to voters' concerns over living costs, healthcare and the direction of the country, while accusing Republicans of embracing Trump's policies despite public dissatisfaction.
Republicans entered the elections controlling both chambers of Congress, including a 53-47 Senate majority. The newly elected Congress will take office in January 2027.