Washington: Former US President Barack Obama has reacted to the US midterm election results, stating that the American people want politics that brings people together and not something that divides them, adding that they want leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.
“Tonight, the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face. These results were only possible because outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country — including in areas once considered long shots. They came from different backgrounds and represented a range of political perspectives, but were united by shared values, a belief in public service, and a commitment to putting the people of their districts and states first,” he wrote on X.
“We also owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of election officials and volunteers from both parties who helped ensure a smooth election and carried out one of the most essential functions of our democracy. While this administration has another two years in office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future,” his post reads further.
Democrats have seized control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, in a major setback for President Donald Trump’s Republicans, according to projections by US television networks. After securing the House, Democrats went on to flip Senate seats in several states, including traditionally Republican strongholds such as Texas, Kansas and South Carolina.
The election outcome sets the stage for a potentially confrontational final two years of Trump’s presidency, with Democrats gaining greater control over the legislative agenda in Congress.
Democratic candidates registered victories across several states that have traditionally favoured Republicans, including Texas, Ohio and Kansas.
Key Senate race results
Here is a look at the major Senate contests and the projected outcomes:
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- Kansas: Democrat Adam Hamilton has been projected as the winner of the Senate seat, marking a significant development in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the seat in almost 100 years.
- Iowa: Former Paralympian and Democratic candidate Josh Turek has been projected to become the state’s next US Senator, flipping the seat previously held by Republican Senator Joni Ernst.
- Maine: Democrat Troy Jackson is projected to win the Senate race, unseating Republican incumbent Susan Collins, who has held the seat for nearly 30 years.
- Michigan: Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has been projected to win a Senate seat, edging out Republican candidate Mike Rogers.
- Ohio: The Senate seat has flipped to the Democrats, with Sherrod Brown emerging as the projected winner.
- Texas: Democrat James Talarico has been projected to win the Senate seat, adding another victory to the party’s gains in traditionally Republican territory.
- South Carolina: Democrat Annie Andrews has defeated Republican incumbent Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
Meanwhile, the Senate race in Alaska remains too close to call, with the outcome still uncertain.
The results mark a significant shift in the balance of power in Washington, setting up a new political landscape for the remaining two years of the Trump administration.