Democrats take US Senate, close in on House majority after midterm setbacks for Trump

Democrats have taken control of the US Senate and are closing in on a majority in the House of Representatives after making significant gains in the November 3 midterm elections, dealing a major setback to President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

The election results mark a shift in the balance of power in Washington, with Democrats winning several closely watched races in traditionally Republican states.

According to the Associated Press, Democrats flipped five Republican-held Senate seats in Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio, securing control of the chamber.

The victories include Democrat James Talarico's win over Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, marking the first time since 1988 that a Democrat has won a US Senate seat in the state.

In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican incumbent Darline Graham, while former Ohio senator Sherrod Brown also returned to the Senate after defeating Republican Jon Husted.

Democrats also made gains in the House, flipping at least seven seats previously held by Republicans. However, control of the 435-member chamber remained undecided as votes continued to be counted.

Republicans had entered the elections with narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress. Democrats needed a net gain of four Senate seats and three House seats to take control.

The results come amid widespread voter dissatisfaction over the economy, rising living costs and the administration's handling of the war in Iran.

An Associated Press voter survey found that around three-quarters of voters were dissatisfied with the country's direction, while many cited inflation and the cost of living as major concerns influencing their decisions.

Trump, who had urged voters to treat the midterms as a referendum on his presidency, sought to distance himself from the Republican losses.

In a post on his social media platform, he said Republicans would have won by a landslide if he had been on the ballot.

The Democratic takeover of the Senate is expected to complicate Trump's legislative agenda during the final two years of his presidency, while giving Democrats greater influence over congressional oversight, judicial appointments and investigations involving the administration.

Trump has indicated that he would use his presidential veto powers to block Democratic proposals, raising the possibility of increased political gridlock in Washington.