Democrats Exceed Expectations in 2025 Elections, Signaling Potential Momentum for 2026 Midterms
Results from the 2025 elections reveal Democratic overperformance in several races beyond high-profile contests, bolstering the party’s outlook heading into the 2026 midterm cycle.The outcomes indicate continued voter concern regarding economic issues and dissatisfaction with the agenda of President Trump and Congressional Republicans.
These results are especially notable as midterm elections are typically not direct referendums on the party holding the White House.Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin highlighted this dynamic, noting the party’s success in special elections throughout 2025 – where Democrats outperformed previous margins by approximately 14% on average – suggests a broader trend. “The critically important thing to remember is midterm elections are not a referendum on a party that’s not in power,” Martin said in a recent interview with NPR. “So our numbers really don’t matter here. Donald Trump is at an all-time low in terms of his favorability and his approval numbers… the Republican Party is as well.”
The election outcomes underscore the continued importance of economic concerns and affordability for voters. Discontent with President Trump’s and Congressional Republicans’ policies on these issues appears to have played a role in the results. Martin previously predicted the continuation of Democratic success in special elections into the midterm cycle, and Tuesday’s results appear to validate that assessment.
