Republicans are on the cusp of securing a rare political trifecta, with Donald Trump's party leading the race for full control of the U.S. government, as results continue to pour in from the 2024 midterm elections.
Should Republicans maintain their control of the House of Representatives and hold their slim majority in the Senate, coupled with Trump’s victory in the presidential race, they will dominate all three branches of U.S. government for the first time in four years. This outcome would enable Trump to advance his domestic legislative priorities and appoint key justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Early Wednesday, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson expressed confidence, declaring that Republicans were poised to form a unified government, with control of the White House, Senate, and House. "As more results come in, it is clear that, as we have predicted, Republicans will have held our majority," he said.
Despite several House races remaining too close to call, political analysts, including the *Cook Political Report*, are predicting that Republicans will retain a narrow lead in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, on the Senate side, Republicans secured key victories, flipping crucial seats in West Virginia and Ohio. West Virginia's Republican Governor Jim Justice triumphed over Democrat Joe Manchin’s replacement, while Bernie Moreno, a businessman backed by Trump, ousted longtime Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown in Ohio. These victories reversed the Democrats’ slim 51-49 majority, giving Republicans the upper hand.
Republican Senator Deb Fischer’s victory in Nebraska further solidified the party's dominance, making it increasingly likely that they will control the Senate. If Republicans win the remaining toss-up races, they could finish the election with 55 Senate seats, expanding their majority and granting them significant leverage to push Trump’s judicial appointments and policy initiatives.
Historic Milestones and Diverse Victories
Amidst the sweeping Republican success, there were notable firsts in American politics. Two Black women, Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, both secured Senate victories, making history as the first time two Black women will serve in the Senate simultaneously.
Additionally, Sarah McBride made history as the first openly transgender person elected to Congress, winning a Delaware House seat over Republican John Whalen III.
With a potential unified Republican government, Trump’s domestic and judicial agendas are set to gain powerful momentum, reshaping the future of U.S. governance.
