US mid‑term elections 2026 held as referendum on Trump agenda

Americans voted on Tuesday 3 November in the 2026 US mid‑term elections, a pivotal test of President Donald Trump’s second term and the balance of power in Congress.

With record early voting, the electorate will decide whether the Republican Party can retain its majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate, or if Democrats can make historic gains in seats long considered safe for the GOP.

The election is being framed as a de‑facto referendum on Trump’s agenda, which includes the costly war alongside Israel against Iran, soaring inflation, tariff‑driven price rises and a controversial immigration enforcement programme that has sparked protests in Democrat‑led cities.

Key Senate contests include Michigan, where progressive Abdul El‑Sayed seeks to hold an open seat for the Democrats against Republican Mike Rogers; Georgia, where incumbent Jon Ossoff leads Republican challenger Mike Collins; Maine, where Susan Collins defends her seat against Democrat Troy Jackson; Ohio, with Democrat Sherrod Brown challenging Republican Jon Husted; and Texas, where Democrat James Talarico opposes Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, who has received about $210 million in Republican support.

While Trump is not on the ballot, he has urged voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot”, underscoring the election’s significance for the future direction of US policy.

Source: The Guardian. Photo: Edmond Dantès / Pexels.