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Where the US midterm elections will be won and lost

October 13, 2026

Americans are preparing to vote in midterm elections that will determine control of Congress during the remainder of Donald Trump's second presidential term. Currently, Republicans hold narrow majorities in both the House of Representatives (218 seats plus one allied independent) and the Senate (53 seats), but Democrats have opportunities to flip both chambers. Trump's approval rating has dropped to approximately 37%, significantly lower than previous presidents at similar points in their terms, which historically signals trouble for the sitting president's party.

Who is affected

  • President Donald Trump and the Republican Party
  • The Democratic Party and their candidates
  • American voters across all 435 House districts
  • Candidates in 35 Senate races
  • Specific candidates mentioned: Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers (Michigan), James Talarico and Ken Paxton (Texas)
  • Members of the current House of Representatives and Senate

What action is being taken

  • Americans are heading to the polls on November 3rd to vote in midterm elections
  • Thousands of races are taking place across different levels of government
  • Elections are being held for all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats
  • Polling and campaign analysis is being conducted by organizations like the Cook Political Report and Silver Bulletin

Why it matters

  • The midterm elections will determine whether Republicans maintain control of Congress or if Democrats can win one or both chambers, which would significantly impact Trump's ability to advance his agenda during his final two years in office. Trump's low approval rating of 37%, combined with voter concerns about inflation and an unpopular war with Iran, could lead to substantial losses for Republicans, following the historical pattern where the president's party loses an average of 27 House seats in midterms. Control of Congress affects the president's legislative power, making these elections crucial for the direction of national policy.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC