Democrats Take Congress as Hochul Wins Second Full Term

By Edwin V. Christopher

Democrats are projected to win control of both chambers of Congress after Tuesday's midterm elections, a sweeping rebuke of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans that reached into some of the GOP's most loyal territory. ABC News projected that the party had secured enough seats to take the House and the Senate, giving Democrats real leverage in Washington for the final two years of Trump's term. In New York, the night carried a second headline. Gov. Kathy Hochul won a second full term, defeating Republican Bruce Blakeman, a Long Island county executive and Trump ally. In her victory speech, Hochul turned the president's own pitch back on him, pointing to his request that supporters vote as though he were on the ballot. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York told reporters in Washington that Americans had voted for change and that the Senate map had been redrawn in a way not seen in a generation. "Relief is on the way," he said. Heading into Election Day, Republicans held 53 Senate seats to the Democrats' 45, with two independents. In the House, the GOP led 218-214, with one independent and two vacancies. Some House races were still uncalled early Wednesday, and MS NOW estimated Democrats would finish with at least 235 seats once every contest is settled. The shift changes the political math for the White House. A Democratic Senate is likely to complicate Trump's agenda and his push to keep reshaping the federal courts, including the Supreme Court. In the House, a Democratic majority brings committee gavels and subpoena power, which party leaders are expected to use to examine immigration enforcement, federal spending and the administration's use of executive authority. The results also played out across the Tri-State area. ABC News called New Jersey's Senate race for Democratic incumbent Cory Booker, and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont was projected as a winner in his race as well. The campaign was also enormously expensive. AdImpact projected about $11.6 billion in spending, roughly $400 million more than was spent in the 2024 general election. What comes next is a long stretch of counting and calling. Remaining races are expected to be decided in the coming days, and the newly elected Congress takes office in January. Democrats are preparing to challenge the president's agenda, while Republicans begin regrouping ahead of the 2028 presidential race. Before then, the current Congress still has to settle government funding, which is set to run out Dec. 11 under the stopgap lawmakers passed this fall.