US Midterm Elections: Trump-Backed Candidates Lose Key Senate Races

US President Donald Trump faced a setback in the 2026 midterm elections as several candidates he personally endorsed lost key Senate races. Democratic victories in South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Michigan helped the party secure control of the Senate.

The results raised questions about Trump’s influence over the Republican Party and his ability to shape election outcomes beyond the party’s primary contests.

Trump had urged Americans to treat the midterms as a vote on his presidency. He also backed candidates in several closely watched races. However, voters rejected his choices in all four states.

For more than a decade, Trump has reshaped the Republican Party around his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement. He has influenced primary contests and challenged conservative figures who did not support his political agenda.

His endorsements often helped loyalists secure Republican nominations. However, the latest results showed that support within the party does not always translate into broader electoral support.

Democrats Win Key Senate Races in Four States

South Carolina delivered one of the most notable results. The state had not elected a Democratic senator since 1998. Trump also won South Carolina by 18 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election.

Iran War: Vance Blames Conflict for Republican Midterm Defeat

Trump backed Darline Graham, the sister of late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. However, Democrat Annie Andrews won the Senate race.

In North Carolina, former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper defeated Michael Whatley. Trump had endorsed Whatley, a former national Republican campaign official.

Texas also delivered a significant result for Democrats. Trump intervened in the Republican primary to support Attorney General Ken Paxton over Senator John Cornyn.

Some Republicans considered Cornyn a stronger candidate for the general election. However, Trump backed Paxton despite the controversies surrounding the attorney general.

Democrat James Talarico won the Texas race. Democrats had not secured the state’s Senate seat since 1988.

Michigan produced another Democratic victory. Former US Representative Mike Rogers, Trump’s preferred candidate, lost to Abdul El-Sayed.

El-Sayed will become the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate, following his victory.

Trump’s Approval Rating Adds to Republican Concerns

The Republican losses came as Trump’s approval rating faced pressure ahead of the elections.

Reuters/Ipsos polling showed that his popularity had fallen below its level following the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

The declining approval rating raised concerns among Republicans about Trump’s impact on the party’s electoral prospects.

Veteran Republican strategist Doug Heye described the outcome as a political shock for the president. He pointed to voter frustration over high prices, tariffs and the Iran war.

Heye argued that Trump had spent much of the year promoting his own priorities rather than addressing voters’ concerns.

Trump rejected suggestions that his absence from the ballot affected the results.

“I wasn’t on the ballot, and if I were, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!” he wrote on social media on Tuesday night.

A White House official defended the president’s campaign efforts. The official said Trump had done more to promote several Republican candidates than they had done themselves.

Another senior administration official told Reuters that internal polling had indicated possible Republican losses in both chambers six weeks before election day.

According to the official, Trump then launched a month-long nationwide campaign to improve the party’s position.

Trump’s Primary Interventions Draw Republican Criticism

Political analysts argued that Trump’s involvement in Republican primaries contributed to some of the Senate losses.

Thomas Kahn, a professor at American University, said Trump’s decision to support Paxton over Cornyn had weakened the Republican position in Texas.

He argued that Cornyn would have had a stronger chance of retaining the seat.

Kahn also pointed to North Carolina, where Republican Senator Thom Tillis decided not to seek re-election following a public dispute with Trump.

Tillis had opposed Medicaid cuts included in Trump’s tax and spending legislation. The disagreement prompted Trump to threaten support for a primary challenger against him.

Kahn argued that Tillis’s departure opened the door for Democrats. He said Cooper might not have entered the race if the Republican incumbent had sought another term.

Former North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory also criticised Trump’s influence over Republican primary contests.

McCrory said Trump’s involvement had divided party members across several states. In South Carolina, he pointed to disagreements involving two local Republican congressmen.

He argued that the disputes had weakened party unity and diverted political resources from the wider election campaign.

Republican Strategists Question Trump’s Connection With Voters

McCrory also raised concerns about Trump’s relationship with working-class Americans.

He said the president had previously connected with voters through his focus on their economic concerns. However, McCrory argued that Trump needed to rebuild that connection.

The election results have intensified debate within Republican ranks over candidate selection, campaign strategy and the political consequences of the administration’s policies.

Rising living costs, tariffs and the Iran conflict also featured prominently in the explanations offered by Republican analysts.

With Democrats preparing to take control of Congress, the results could complicate Trump’s legislative agenda and increase pressure on Republican leaders to reassess their electoral strategy.