Shapiro Calls Midterms a Republican Wipeout

Commentator Ben Shapiro said early 2026 midterm results bode ill for Republicans while Democrats won key races in Texas and South Carolina.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Shapiro Calls Midterms a Republican Wipeout

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Ben Shapiro said early midterm results were a wipeout for Republicans during an appearance on the All-In podcast Tuesday night. Democrats won Senate races in Texas and South Carolina and the Texas governor's race before most major results were called.

Why it matters

Shapiro framed the election as a referendum on the president, arguing the results signal trouble for Republicans heading into 2028. The Texas and South Carolina outcomes mark notable Democratic breakthroughs in states that have not sent a Democrat to the Senate or governor's office in decades.

Democrat James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, the first Democratic Texas senator elected in 38 years, while Gina Hinojosa won the governor's race as the first Democratic Texas governor in 36 years. Republican Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Angie Nixon in Florida's Senate race, and the broader national picture remains unsettled beyond these early calls.

The players

Ben Shapiro

Ben Shapiro is a conservative commentator and host of The Ben Shapiro Show who frequently weighs in on American politics and elections.

James Talarico

James Talarico is a Texas Democrat who won the Senate race over Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to the Texas Senate in 38 years.

Gina Hinojosa

Gina Hinojosa is a Texas Democrat who defeated Governor Greg Abbott to become the first Democratic governor of Texas in 36 years.

Annie Andrews

Annie Andrews is a South Carolina Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate, the first woman from the state to win a Senate seat and its first Democrat in over 20 years.

The details

Shapiro made his remarks on the All-In podcast, which streamed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET, before most major race results were called. He said the president was effectively on the ballot, and that the results bode ill for Republicans in 2028.

Tuesday night, November 3, 2026: Shapiro comments on early midterm results on the All-In podcast.
2028: Shapiro says the results bode ill for Republicans in the next presidential cycle.

Political Context

Shapiro's claim that the results bode ill for Republicans in 2028 is a projection rather than a settled outcome, and it rests on early returns before final counts were complete. Opposition to that framing centers on the argument that single-cycle midterm results do not reliably predict the next presidential contest.

Voters in Texas and South Carolina now have new Democratic officeholders representing them in Washington and, in Texas, in the governor's office. Residents should watch the 2028 cycle, since commentators are already linking these results to the next presidential race.

The takeaway

Early midterm results can shift quickly as final counts come in, so treat broad predictions about future elections with caution. Following certified results in each state offers the clearest picture of what the 2026 midterms actually produced.