Congress Control Hangs On Midterms

What happened

Updated Oct 31, 11:34am ET

The November 3 midterm elections will decide which party controls the House and Senate. A late Data for Progress poll put Democrats narrowly ahead in Maine, Michigan and Texas, but each lead was within its four-point margin of error. Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority, and Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take control. The House and numerous governorships are also at stake, with voters treating the races as a judgment on President Donald Trump. More than 43 million Americans had voted early five days before Election Day. Forecasts favor Democrats for the House, while Senate control remains uncertain in several close states.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the midterms as a test of Trump’s governing record, with backlash opening races Republicans once expected to hold. Al Jazeera linked Democratic opportunities to voter anger over prices, the Iran war and Trump’s leadership. AlterNet focused on election integrity fears and pressure campaigns if Trump-aligned candidates lose. The Boston Globe, citing Associated Press, emphasized surging early voting.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets framed the midterms as difficult for Republicans, while stressing that Senate control remains within reach. The Daily Mail centered the Senate fight after treating the House as likely to move toward Democrats, while citing Nate Silver that Republicans had “winning combinations”. The Washington Examiner looked past Election Day to a possible split between Trump and the GOP establishment.