‘Great American Comeback’: Jeffries Hails House Win as Democrats Flip Republican Strongholds

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries declared that “today begins the great American comeback” as US networks projected his party would regain control of the House of Representatives following Tuesday’s midterm elections.

The projected victory positions Jeffries to become the first Black Speaker of the House, subject to a floor vote when the new Congress convenes in January. It also gives Democrats greater power to investigate the Trump administration and challenge its legislative agenda during the president’s remaining two years in office.

“The American people have spoken and made clear they’ve had enough of the extremism, enough of the corruption,” Jeffries told supporters.

He promised a Congress focused on delivering results, acknowledging that voters expected “dramatic change”.

“Things are broken,” he said. “We will deliver a Congress that puts everyday Americans first.”

Texas delivers a double blow to Republicans

Democratic gains extended to Texas, where Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, according to CNN and CBS News projections.

Abbott called to concede, CBS reported, ending his bid for a fourth term. Hinojosa, an attorney and state lawmaker representing an Austin district, will become Texas’ first Latina governor and its first Democrat elected to the office since Ann Richards in 1990.

With 67% of votes counted, Hinojosa had 57.1% against Abbott’s 41.7%, according to CBS figures.

Democrat James Talarico also defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, CBS projected. Talarico had 58.1% to Paxton’s 40.4%, with 58% of ballots counted.

“Texas forever,” Talarico posted on X.

The victories broke a Democratic statewide election drought stretching back more than three decades.

Kansas and Iowa add to Democratic gains

In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Senator Roger Marshall, according to Fox News. The result marks the state’s first Democratic Senate election victory in 94 years.

Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, gained support among independent and rural voters as he challenged the Republican incumbent.

Democrat Rob Sand won Iowa’s governorship against Republican Zach Lahn, CBS News projected. With 85% counted, Sand held 56.7% against Lahn’s 43.3%.

Iowa’s Senate race remained undecided. Democrat Josh Turek led Republican Ashley Hinson with 50.9% to 46%, with 90% of votes counted. CBS assessed the contest as leaning Democratic.

Senate victories widen the Republican setbacks

Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Senator Graham in South Carolina, according to the reported results. The state backed Trump by nearly 20 percentage points in 2024 and had not elected a Democratic senator since 1998.

Democrats also flipped North Carolina’s Senate seat and retained their seat in battleground Georgia.

The projected House takeover will hand Democrats committee chairmanships and greater authority to seek documents, summon witnesses and scrutinise executive decisions.

Trump says his name could have changed the result

Trump responded to the setbacks by pointing to his absence from the ballot.

“I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!” he wrote on Truth Social. “Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

Jeffries, meanwhile, said voters wanted lawmakers to act when the new Congress takes office.

“They want a Congress that’s going to deliver for the American people and that is exactly what House Democrats will do as soon as we get into office in January,” he said.

With inputs from ANI