U.S. midterm elections in pictures: Democrats' sweeping victories deliver rebuke to Trump
Party projected to gain control of both chambers of Congress, flipping key Republican-held seats in Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio
Quick Look
Democrats scored sweeping victories in the U.S. midterm elections, flipping key Republican-held seats in Congress and securing historic wins in Texas, North Carolina, Georgia, and Ohio, delivering a setback to President Donald Trump and threatening to constrain his legislative agenda.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The elections were widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's second term, with concerns over the cost of living, inflation and the war in Iran weighing on voter sentiment.
Democrats scored sweeping victories in the U.S. midterm elections on Wednesday, flipping key Republican-held seats in Congress and securing historic wins in traditionally conservative states, as voters delivered a setback to President Donald Trump.
The party was projected to gain control of both chambers of Congress, with victories across several battleground states threatening to constrain Trump's legislative agenda for the remaining two years of his presidency.
Here are some of the scenes from polling stations, campaign headquarters and election-night celebrations across the United States.
Heading to the polls
Jeff Swensen | Getty Images News | Getty Images
The San Diego Union-tribune | Medianews Group | Getty Images
Texas
Adam Gray | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Among the biggest surprises was Texas, where Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton to become the state's first Democratic U.S. senator since 1988.
Fellow Democrat Gina Hinojosa also unseated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, becoming the state's first Latina governor and ending more than three decades of Republican control of the office.
Brandon Bell | Getty Images
Adam Gray | Getty Images News | Getty Images
North Carolina
A.m Stewart | Afp | Getty Images
In North Carolina, former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper flipped a Republican-held Senate seat after defeating Trump-backed Michael Whatley. Cooper will succeed retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced his departure after clashing with Trump over his tax and spending legislation.
Georgia
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In Georgia, Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff secured reelection against Trump-backed Republican Mike Collins, while former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor's race, becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. state.
Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Meanwhile, in Ohio, former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown staged a political comeback, defeating Republican incumbent Jon Husted in a closely watched Senate race.
The elections were widely viewed as a referendum on Trump's second term, with concerns over the cost of living, inflation and the war in Iran weighing on voter sentiment.
—CNBC's Danielle DeVries contributed to this article.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Democratic control of both chambers of Congress will constrain Trump's legislative agenda for the remaining two years of his presidency
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the final seat counts in both chambers of Congress?
- What specific policy changes will result from Democratic control of Congress?
- How will President Trump respond to the election setback?
