# 2026 US Midterm Elections: Key Shifts

> Democrats aim to flip Congress as Trump faces record spending and low approval.
- Title: 2026 US Midterm Elections: Key Shifts · Dawn | Shortify
- Summary: Democrats aim to flip Congress as Trump faces record spending and low approval. Democrats seek majority control of Congress after Trump's approval drops to…
- Keywords: us midterm elections, democrats, republicans, congress, house of representatives, senate, trump, early voting, political advertising, battleground states, news, politics
- Source: Dawn — https://dawn.com/news/2038966/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-2026-us-midterm-elections
- Author: Reuters
- Published: 2026-10-22T05:38:56+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: us midterm elections, democrats, republicans, congress, house of representatives, senate, trump, early voting, political advertising, battleground states, news, politics
## Early voting underway
Early voting has been underway for weeks ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections.
## Record spending
As of October 12, a record $3.8 billion had been spent on political advertisements that have been aired so far.
## Elon Musk's investment
Elon Musk alone has spent about $366m to support Republicans, according to campaign finance records.
## Control of Congress at stake
Democrats must win a net gain of four seats to win control of the House of Representatives.
## Senate race dynamics
Democrats must net four additional seats to get control of the Senate.
## Midterms impact on presidency
Midterm elections generally are dangerous territory for the political party that holds the White House.
## Trump's approval rating
Approval of Trump’s performance is at an all-time low of 32 per cent, according to a September Reuters/Ipsos poll.
## Latino voter shift
Latino voters who veered to Trump in 2024 might be returning to Democrats due to economic frustration.
## Recent midterm history
In the 2010 midterms, Republicans won 63 additional House seats amid an underperforming economy.
## Speaker of the House
If Democrats win the House, Hakeem Jeffries would become the first Black American speaker.
## Marquee races
Mike Lawler's bid for reelection in a New York district won by Kamala Harris in 2024 is a key House race.
## State legislative control
Currently, Republicans control 55pc of state legislative seats across the country.
## Speaker priorities
A Democratic speaker would focus on making healthcare, groceries, housing, energy costs more affordable.
## Republican speaker priorities
A Republican speaker would prioritize tax cuts, defense spending, and social safety net reductions.
## 2026 election stakes
Midterm results could trigger White House course corrections or hint at next presidential campaign messaging.
## What happens next
Democrats aim to win majority control of Congress as Trump faces record spending and low approval.
## Key takeaway

Democrats seek majority control of Congress after Trump's approval drops to 32% amid record $3.8bn ad spending.