Midterm Markets: Democrats Flip Six House Seats

Six House seats flipped to Democrats on Tuesday, moving the party closer to a majority in the chamber. The result served as a direct financial verdict on President Donald Trump’s second term, with voters citing rising gas prices, high inflation, and the unpopular war with Iran as primary drivers.

The shift in the House represents a tangible check on executive power. Trump’s approval ratings had plummeted in polls leading up to the election, pressured by the cost of living and diplomatic friction with Canada. His campaign to defend his record as the best economy ever failed to counter the momentum of the Democratic wave.

The outcome for the Senate remained uncertain late Tuesday night. Control of the upper chamber hinged on border state races where the trade war with Canada weighed heavily on voter sentiment. Democrats needed victories in Maine and Alaska to secure control, as Trump had recently adjusted 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods to help industries in those regions.

In Michigan, the race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers stayed tight. A last-minute endorsement of Rogers by former Democratic primary opponent Haley Stevens complicated the Democratic strategy. Despite the close count, El-Sayed held a lead in early returns, while Rogers’ wife Kristi urged supporters to stay at the event until the final tallies arrived.

Voter sentiment in Maine reflected the economic friction across the border. Tyler Levesque, a voter in Bangor, argued that the trade policy was unfair to Mainers, stating it forced the community to suffer because of failed economic policy. Conversely, Mary Monroe expressed a preference for maintaining firmness with the U.S. neighbor, noting that the United States should not be taken advantage of.

In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham Nordone in a decisive upset. Nordone, the hand-picked candidate for her late brother Lindsey Graham’s seat, had faced criticism for her lack of experience. The loss marked a sharp rebuke of the Republican candidate selection process in a historically red district.

Trump posted on social media just before 11 p.m. ET, claiming he was not on the ballot and that he would have won in a landslide. He made the statement while his administration faced growing scrutiny over its handling of the economy and foreign policy.