03.11.2026 18:20
Haberler.com Washington Representative Rona Doğan Sural stated that the midterm elections in the US would be a critical turning point for President Donald Trump. Reporting the latest developments live on air, Sural said that Republicans are seen as certain to lose their majority in the House of Representatives, while Democrats face a tough struggle in the Senate race.
As millions of voters in the US head to the polls for midterm elections that will determine the new structure of Congress, Haberler.com Washington Representative Rona Doğan Sural evaluated the election atmosphere in the US, the latest polls, races in critical states, and developments discussed in Washington corridors for Melis Yaşar. Sural stated that Republicans are seen as certain to lose their majority in the House of Representatives, while drawing attention to the Senate race being much more competitive.
DEMOCRATS EXPECTED TO GAIN THE UPPER HAND IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
In the US midterm elections, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for election. At least 218 seats are needed to gain a majority in the House. In the Senate, voters are casting ballots for 35 of the 100 seats.
Evaluating the election atmosphere in Washington, Rona Doğan Sural said Republicans are expected to lose their majority in the House of Representatives. Recalling that in US political history it is common for the president's party to lose seats in the House in midterm elections, Sural stated that in the last 20 midterm elections only two presidents' parties were able to preserve their seat count, while losses occurred in the other 18 elections.
Pointing to this historical picture and current polls, Sural stated that Democrats are seen as certain to gain a majority in the House of Representatives.
EYES ON CRITICAL STATES IN THE SENATE RACE
Unlike the House of Representatives, the Senate race is expected to be more difficult. Emphasizing that Republicans especially want to preserve their majority in the Senate, Sural said races in states such as Alaska, Ohio, Michigan, Texas, Maine, Iowa and Kansas are being closely followed.
Noting that polls have raised the possibility of Democrats winning even in Texas, where Republicans are strong, Sural drew attention to the fact that no Democratic senator has come out of the state since 1988. Recalling that Kansas is also one of the states where Republicans are strong, Sural noted that the race there is also noteworthy.
Providing information on the current distribution in the Senate, Sural stated that Republicans have 53 seats and Democrats 45. She said that for Democrats to gain a majority in the Senate, they must succeed in at least 6 states and also preserve their current seats.
Sural stated that if Democrats win five states and the distribution in the Senate becomes a 50-50 tie, the vice president's tie-breaking vote would give Republicans an advantage. Therefore, she said, Democrats' job in the Senate is more difficult compared with the House of Representatives.
TRUMP'S PROMISES AFFECT VOTER PREFERENCE
Evaluating the election atmosphere in the US, Sural said economic and political developments over the past two years have been effective in voter behavior. Stating that inflation, gasoline prices, the war with Iran, high health expenditures, abortion debates and immigration policies are important topics on voters' agenda, Sural reported that assessments highlighting a difference between the promises Trump made before his presidency and what has happened over the past two years stand out.
Noting that Democratic voters may be more inclined to go to the polls, Sural stated that some Republican voters, on the other hand, may show their reaction by not going to the polls.
COULD TRUMP LOSE BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS?
Making assessments regarding the possibility of Trump losing the majority in Congress, Sural said the expectation for the House of Representatives is quite clear.
Recalling that Trump also made statements that the House of Representatives could be lost, Sural reported that the US president said he could veto regulations that come before him in such a situation.
In the Senate, Sural stated that the result depends on voter turnout and races in critical states, and said it is more difficult for Democrats to gain a majority.
WHAT AWAITS TRUMP IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS?
Stating that if Republicans lose their majority in Congress, Trump may face a more difficult political process over the next two years, Sural said that under the current situation, because Republicans have a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the administration can act more comfortably in decision-making and appointment processes.
Expressing that if Democrats gain a majority in the House of Representatives, Trump may encounter more opposition in budget negotiations, legislative proposals and regulations that will come before the president, Sural pointed out that a change in the balance of power in Congress could narrow the White House's room for maneuver.
Stating that if Democrats win a majority, new investigations and impeachment attempts against Trump could also come onto the agenda, Sural said, however, that completing the impeachment process is very difficult. Recalling that a two-thirds majority in the Senate is required for this, Sural noted that Democrats winning seats alone would not be sufficient to impeach Trump.
IT MAY TAKE DAYS FOR ELECTION RESULTS TO BECOME CLEAR
Sural also drew attention to the fact that election results may not be finalized on the same day. Stating that time differences between states, mail-in ballots and possible recount processes could delay the announcement of results, Sural said that especially in states where the vote margin is very small, objections and recounts could come onto the agenda.
Stating that the election results will be an important turning point for Trump's political future, Sural emphasized that Democrats are expected to gain the upper hand in the House of Representatives, while the majority struggle in the Senate is more uncertain.