Anthony Zurcher: Democrats eye sweeping gains and reshaping of political map

Democrats have made sweeping gains in the US midterm elections, taking control of both chambers of Congress halfway through Donald Trump’s second term. The results give them power to block parts of his agenda and investigate his administration, while raising the possibility of another impeachment attempt.

They flipped at least six Senate seats, winning in states including Texas, Kansas, Maine, Iowa and Ohio, and are projected to hold 245 seats in the House to Republicans’ 166. Democrats also won several governors’ races, including in Texas, Iowa, Ohio and Georgia. The results defied expectations after Republicans began 2025 with unified control of Congress and a Senate map thought to favour them.