The Japan Times - Democrats capture US Congress in sweeping midterm victory

WASHINGTON: Democrats seized control of the US Congress on Tuesday, capturing both the Senate and the House of Representatives in a nationwide rejection of President Donald Trump that is set to slow the final two years of his presidency. The win gives the opposition the power to block legislation, launch broad investigations into Trump’s administration and hold up his judicial and senior appointments. The results reflected deep anger over living costs, tariffs and Trump’s war against Iran, which has sent fuel prices soaring and added to dissatisfaction with an already deeply unpopular president.

Trump struck a conciliatory note despite his history of questioning election results, telling The New York Times he was “absolutely willing” to accept the outcome. “I think the Democrats did a good job, I really do,” he told Fox News. “They fought hard.” He distanced himself from his party’s poor showing, however, saying “I don’t view it as a hit on me.” He acknowledged that the Iran conflict had contributed to the defeat while defending the military campaign, and suggested the two parties could find common ground on immigration. As Trump was conceding, the scale of the Democratic win grew further. Former logger Troy Jackson defeated longtime Republican senator Susan Collins in Maine, the seventh Senate seat Democrats took from Republicans. Earlier wins in Kansas and Iowa had secured the Senate majority, following upsets in Texas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio. In Kansas, Methodist minister Adam Hamilton became the first Democrat elected to the Senate from the state since 1932. Iowa had not elected a Democratic senator since 2008.

In Texas, Democrat James Talarico said he had defeated “Goliath” in winning his Senate race against Attorney General Ken Paxton, while Gina Hinojosa unseated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending decades of Republican control. Democrats also held key seats of their own, including Jon Ossoff’s in Georgia and an open seat in New Hampshire. In the House, Democrats gained seats in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Arizona, North Carolina and New Jersey, including districts Trump had won comfortably in 2024. In Indiana, Democrat JD Ford ousted Republican Congresswoman Victoria Spartz in a district Trump carried by 17 points. In Georgia, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in US history. Republicans had some consolation in Florida, where Trump-backed Byron Donalds became the state’s first Black governor and Ashley Moody kept her Senate seat, though both faced surprisingly strong Democratic challenges.

The night was “a big wipeout and a strong repudiation of Donald Trump and his policies,” George Washington University professor Todd Belt told AFP. Robert Garcia, now expected to lead the House Oversight Committee, warned Republicans on social media to “LAWYER UP”. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress meets in January. Despite his conciliatory remarks, Trump insisted on social media that Republicans would have won “IN A LANDSLIDE” if he had been on the ballot. He also posted a picture of a red baseball cap reading “VETO”, repeating his threat to block laws passed by Democrats. — AFP

K.Inoue--JT