On November 3, thousands of elections will take place across the United States, including the selection of 36 governors, numerous mayors, and all 435 members of the House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 U.S. Senate seats. Two special elections will also be held to fill vacant Senate seats. The national focus is on the congressional elections, which will determine the balance of power in both chambers of Congress. ### Current congressional composition Senate – Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats 47, with two vacancies. The Republican majority is led by Senator John Thune (South Dakota), while the Democratic minority is led by Senator Chuck Schumer (New York). House of Representatives – Republicans hold 218 seats, Democrats 214, with two vacancies and one independent member. The Republican Speaker is Mike Johnson, and the Democratic minority leader is Hakeem Jeffries. The Republican Party currently controls both chambers, but the margins are narrow. Polls and analyses from Real Clear Politics, the Cook Political Report, and the Silver Bulletin suggest that Democrats could gain control of the House and possibly the Senate, depending on outcomes in key swing states. ### Potential impact of a Democratic majority If Democrats win the House, they would be able to elect a Speaker, block legislation favored by President Trump, and initiate investigations into the Trump administration. The House also has the sole power to bring articles of impeachment; it has already impeached Trump twice. A Democratic majority in the Senate would allow the party to block presidential appointments of federal judges, cabinet members, and other high officials, as well as to serve as the jury in impeachment trials, which require a two‑thirds vote for conviction. Historically, no president has been removed by impeachment. ### President Trump’s use of executive orders President Donald Trump, who began his second term on January 20, 2025, frequently uses executive orders to bypass congressional gridlock. Recent orders have imposed tariffs, restricted entry from certain countries, and expanded the powers of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While executive orders can enact policy quickly, they are less durable than legislation and can be revoked by a succeeding president. ### Democratic campaign trends The Democratic primary field has highlighted a progressive “left wave.” Candidates such as Angie Nixon (Florida), Claire Valdez (New York), and Melat Kiros (Colorado) are members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Senatorial hopeful Abdul El‑Sayed (Michigan) is not a DSA member but is seen as a progressive figure advocating for universal healthcare. The House already includes DSA members Bernie Sanders (Senator) and Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (Representative). The appeal of DSA candidates in general elections remains uncertain, as most Americans identify with the political center. President Trump has repeatedly warned against what he calls “communism,” describing it as a “cancer.” Other Democratic candidates emphasize moderate, often religious, positions. Senators James Talarico (Texas) and Adam Hamilton (Kansas) represent states that have voted Republican for decades. ### Republican strategy On the Republican side, the campaign is dominated by President Trump, who has been actively campaigning across the country and encouraging voters to see him as the candidate on the ballot. In September, he convened the first Republican National Convention in a mid‑term election cycle, dubbed “Trumpapalooza.” Trump claims that the country is safer and more prosperous under his leadership, but his economic policies, tariff measures, and the war in Iran have eroded his approval ratings. Some Republican congressional candidates have publicly distanced themselves from Trump. ### Key voter issues Surveys indicate that voters prioritize economic concerns, particularly rising food and fuel prices linked to the war in Iran. Immigration, healthcare, and foreign policy also rank highly. A growing, cross‑party frustration exists over large data centers, and many Democratic voters are upset with ICE’s enforcement actions. ### Public opinion of President Trump Since taking office, President Trump’s approval ratings have fallen, a common trend for incumbents. According to a Real Clear Politics aggregation of 18 recent polls, 39 % of respondents say Trump is doing a good job, while 59.3 % do not. The Silver Bulletin reports 37.3 % approval, and the opinion‑aggregator Fiftyplusone estimates 35.4 % approval. These figures reflect a decline driven in part by the Iran war and rising living costs. The November 3 mid‑term elections will determine whether the Republican Party retains its majority in both chambers of Congress, shaping the legislative agenda and the balance of power in Washington, D.C.
Article source: Helsingborgs Dagblad | Image credit: Helsingborgs Dagblad