Democrats are projected to take control of the House of Representatives in the next Congress, according to the Fox News Decision Desk.
The party’s gains in the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections came as voter dissatisfaction with rising living costs, the Iran war and President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies weighed on Republican candidates. According to the Fox News Voter Poll, four key groups—young voters, independents, rural voters and Hispanic voters—shifted away from the GOP in significant numbers, citing the Iran war and tariffs among their concerns.
The shift helped Democrats capture not only closely contested congressional districts but also traditionally Republican strongholds. Independent voters proved particularly important to the party’s gains, with an October NPR/PBS News/Marist poll showing that 52% of likely independent voters favored Democratic congressional candidates, compared with 39% who backed Republicans.
Economic pressures also played a major role, as preliminary exit polls indicated that nearly nine in 10 voters considered the cost of living an important factor in their decisions. Higher fuel prices linked to the Iran war and concerns over the impact of Trump’s tariffs on consumer costs and the broader economy further shaped voter sentiment.
Democrats also made inroads among younger and Hispanic voters, groups that had shifted toward Trump during the 2024 presidential election. Concerns over government corruption and the country’s direction added to the issues influencing voters.
Republicans, meanwhile, retained considerable support among conservative voters, particularly in rural communities and among those who prioritized immigration enforcement and border security. However, the results reflect the challenges historically faced by the party holding the White House during midterm elections.
With Democrats projected to regain the House and secure the Senate, the party is positioned to gain greater influence over congressional investigations, federal spending oversight and legislative priorities during the final two years of Trump’s presidency.
