Democrats Regain Control Of Congress
Tuesday’s midterm elections generated a blue wave of victories for candidates who promised to challenge corruption in politics and the influence of corporations and dark money in elections.
Elon Musk reportedly spent close to half a billion dollars, in an attempt to help Republicans keep control of Congress. Despite Musk’s meddling, Democrats regained control of both the House and the Senate in Tuesday’s historic midterm elections.
Exit polls indicate that corruption was a major issue for about 76 percent of voters.
A Harris poll revealed that voters resent elected officials who care more about enriching themselves than improving the economy for ordinary people. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 63 percent of Americans considered it inappropriate for the president and his family to profit from cryptocurrency, while 69 percent believe that Trump’s private business interests influence his decisions as president.
“If this election was about corruption and cost, then this next Congress needs to be focused on accountability and affordability,” says Donald Sherman, the president and CEO of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW).
“Congress needs to do oversight not just on the administration’s corruption, not just on the president’s profiteering, but also on corporate America, what they have gotten out of engaging in the president’s pay-to-play environment, how corporate America and the outside influence of money in our political system has undermined the public voice in our policy discussions.”
Sherman testified to Congress this year about just one example of alleged corruption by President Trump.
“Days before President Trump’s second inauguration, an investment vehicle backed by the United Arab Emirates national security adviser bought a 49 percent stake in Trump’s crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, for $500 million, Sherman testified. “Months later, the Trump administration handed over America’s most sensitive AI chips technology to the UAE, despite national security concerns. This type of corrupt profiteering from influence seekers is unprecedented, dangerous and, in some cases, against the law.”
In Texas, Republican interests spent more than $300 million to defeat Senator-Elect James Talarico, which made it the most expensive Senate campaign in American history. Despite negative ads, smear campaigns, foreign bots and AI deepfakes Talarico defeated Trump’s candidate, Ken Paxton, the current Attorney General for Texas.
According to data from the Associated Press Voter Poll, roughly two-thirds of voters in the Senate race stated that Paxton lacks the personal character required to serve in the U.S. Senate. Ken Paxton’s public record has long been tied to investigations, legal battles, and controversy. During the 2026 Senate race, James Talarico made personal character and ethics a centerpiece of his messaging, appealing to moderate voters and disaffected Republicans in the traditionally conservative state. Talarico’s victory is being described as a political tsunami unseen in Texas this century.
The 2026 Texas gubernatorial election also generated a historic upset. Democratic state representative Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott, who sought a record fourth term. She will become the first Latina governor of the state and the first woman or Democrat to be elected since Ann Richards in 1990. Abbott is the first incumbent governor of Texas to lose reelection since Richards’ reelection bid in 1994.
Thanks to these key wins and others, Democrats earned their first statewide win in Texas since 1994. Elsewhere, Democrats picked up their first US Senate seat in Kansas in almost a century.
“Whether it is costs or the war or the other everyday issues animating conversations at kitchen tables across this country, corruption underlies all of those issues,” Sherman added. “It is about corruption and costs. Corruption leads to the costs that Americans are experiencing.”
Gary Chandler is the CEO of Crossbow Communications. Crossbow Communications is an award-winning public affairs firm. We influence public opinion and public policy around the world.
