Trump-Backed Candidates Lose Key Senate Races
Republican candidates endorsed by President Trump lost Senate contests in South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas as Democrats gained control of the chamber.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Trump-backed Republican Senate candidates lost in South Carolina, North Carolina and Texas, and Democrats gained control of the Senate. Trump's preferred pick also trailed Democrat Abdul El-Sayed in an uncalled Michigan race.
Why it matters
The results signal weakening support for Trump within the electorate, with voters citing frustration over high prices tied to tariffs and the war in Iran. Trump's handpicked primary choices, including his intervention in the Texas primary, did not translate into general-election wins.
Reuters/Ipsos polling shows Trump's popularity lower heading into the vote than after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, while Trump won South Carolina by 18 percentage points in 2024. The Michigan Senate race remained uncalled, leaving its final result unconfirmed.
The players
Donald Trump
The U.S. president who handpicked several Senate candidates and whose endorsements faced their first major general-election test in these races.
Thom Tillis
The North Carolina Republican senator who announced he would not seek re-election after a public split with Trump over Medicaid cuts in the tax-and-spending bill.
Ken Paxton
The Texas Republican whom Trump promoted over Senator John Cornyn in a contested primary, and who lost the general Senate race.
James Talarico
The Democrat who won the Texas Senate race against Republican opposition backed in part by Trump's primary intervention.
The details
Trump handpicked Republican candidates by dictating primary matchups and intervened in a messy Texas primary to promote Ken Paxton over Senator John Cornyn. Democrat James Talarico won the Texas seat, Democrat Annie Andrews won South Carolina, and Roy Cooper defeated Trump-endorsed Michael Whatley in North Carolina.
Timeline
- Last year (2025): Thom Tillis announced he would not seek re-election after a public split with Trump over Medicaid cuts.
- Six weeks before the election: Administration polling showed Republicans would lose the House and Senate.
- November 4, 2026: Midterm elections held, with Trump-backed candidates losing Senate races.
Political Context
Reuters/Ipsos polls show Trump's popularity heading into the vote was lower than it was after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol. The Senate losses extend that downward trend into the midterm contests.
Voters' frustration over high prices from tariffs and the war in Iran shaped the outcome of these races. Those costs remain a direct pressure on household budgets regardless of which party controls the Senate.
The takeaway
Senate control now shifts to Democrats, which will affect how confirmations and legislation move through the chamber in the next session. Readers should watch how the new majority approaches the policy priorities that drove these campaigns.
Further reading
Explore more on Elections for context on how the midterm contests are shaping up nationwide.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WSAU News/Talk 550 AM · 99.9 FM | Wausau, Stevens Point.
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