Story perspectives

Poll shows tight 2026 Congress race, Trump approval 31%

By Drooid · Oct 21, 2026, 2:49 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Republicans and Democrats vie for control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up on November 3, 2026.
Republicans hold 218 House seats while Democrats hold 214, with two vacancies.
Senate Republicans have 53 seats while Democrats and allies have 47.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll October 19 shows 47% would vote Democrat, 35% Republican, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval at 31%.

History

Historical Context

The Republican Revolution began on November 8, 1994, when Newt Gingrich’s GOP captured a 54-seat swing, ending 40 years of Democratic control of the House and ushering the Contract with America. That realignment created the partisan battleground that frames today’s 2026 midterms, where Republicans hold 218 seats and both parties vie for a narrow majority.

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Story summary

Republicans and Democrats vie for control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections.
All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up on November 3, 2026.
Republicans hold 218 House seats while Democrats hold 214, with two vacancies.
Senate Republicans have 53 seats while Democrats and allies have 47.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll October 19 shows 47% would vote Democrat, 35% Republican, and U.S. President Donald Trump’s approval at 31%.

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