The Democratic Party has taken control of the US Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s presidency, following projected victories in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
 
What began as a promising election night for Democrats turned into a historic defeat for the Republican Party, delivering a level of success that few within Democratic ranks had expected just a few months ago, reports BBC.
 
Democrats secured a series of surprise victories in traditionally Republican strongholds, including Texas, Kansas, Ohio and South Carolina. All four states had comfortably backed Republican President Donald Trump in the presidential election just two years earlier.
 
In his initial social media response to the results, Trump appeared to distance himself from his party’s performance, writing: “I wasn’t on the ballot and if I was, we would have won in a landslide!”
 
His attempt to separate himself from the Republican Party’s disappointing performance is likely to be poorly received by fellow Republicans.
 
Seismic shift in Texas
The results marked a major turning point in Texas politics, a state that had remained firmly Republican for nearly two generations. Democrats had repeatedly come close to winning the state in previous election cycles but had failed each time.
 
This time, however, they secured two statewide victories in Texas. Gina Hinojosa made history by becoming the first Latina elected governor of the state.
 
At an election night gathering for James Talarico, supporters erupted in celebration as projected results confirming Democratic victories in both the Senate and gubernatorial races appeared on large screens.
 
Attendees embraced, kissed and raised toasts to a political outcome they had previously been reluctant to believe was possible.