Democrats Surge in Early Senate Results, Flipping North Carolina Seat as Voters Signal Rejection of Trump
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Early returns from the 2026 U.S. midterm elections show Democrats winning Senate races in North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Georgia, while leading in Virginia, as exit polls suggest widespread frustration with President Donald Trump and the direction of the country.
Early returns from the 2026 midterm elections show Democrats gaining Senate seats in several key states, with voters delivering an unmistakable rebuke to the political order shaped by President Donald Trump. In North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, securing 66.8% of the vote with 56% of ballots counted, according to CBS News. The win flips the seat for the party and underscores the scale of the backlash.
In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas led Republican John Sununu with 60.4% of the vote after 20% of ballots were counted. Georgia incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff retained his seat, holding 63.4% of the vote with 57% of votes reported. In Virginia, Democrat Mark Warner maintained a lead over Republican Bert Mizusawa, holding 58.1% of the vote with 44% counted.
Exit polls conducted by SSRS for a consortium of U.S. media outlets found that roughly half of voters viewed the midterms as a chance to rebuke President Donald Trump, and three-quarters expressed anger or dissatisfaction with the country’s direction. Nearly nine in ten respondents said the cost of living was a major factor in their voting decision, highlighting the depth of public anger over worsening economic pressures.
Democrats also see an advantage in the House of Representatives, while both parties remain competitive in Senate contests across the nation. Texas remains a closely watched battleground, with Democrat James Talarico showing early strength in traditionally Republican Tarrant County.
President Trump urged supporters to "pretend I'm on the ballot," a message echoed by Democratic leaders who framed the election as a direct judgment on his administration’s policies and the damage they have caused.