2018 United States elections
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| 2018 United States elections | |
|---|---|
 AHC300 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source | |
| Election name | 2018 United States elections |
| Type | midterm |
| Previous election | 2016 United States elections |
| Previous year | 2016 |
| Next election | 2020 United States elections |
| Next year | 2020 |
| Election date | November 6, 2018 |
| Seats for election | All 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, 35 of the 100 seats in the United States Senate, 39 state and territorial governorships, and numerous other state and local offices. |
| Turnout | 50.3% (eligible adult population) |
| Nominee1 | Republican Party |
| Nominee2 | Democratic Party |
2018 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. These midterm elections occurred during the presidency of Donald Trump and were widely characterized as a wave election for the Democratic Party. The party regained control of the United States House of Representatives for the first time since the 2010 United States elections, while the Republican Party expanded its majority in the United States Senate. Voter turnout reached a modern high for a midterm, driven by intense national focus on issues like healthcare, immigration, and the Mueller special counsel investigation.
Overview
The electoral landscape was heavily influenced by the policies and rhetoric of President Donald Trump, whose approval ratings polarized the electorate. Key issues included the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States, and the administration's stance on trade tariffs. Organizations like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee invested record sums, with significant spending also coming from Super PACs like Congressional Leadership Fund. The election saw historic numbers of women, LGBTQ candidates, and minority candidates run for office, particularly for the Democratic Party.
Federal elections
All 435 voting seats in the United States House of Representatives were contested. Democrats gained a net 41 seats, winning the national popular vote by approximately 8.6 percentage points and securing a majority led by new Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the Senate elections, 35 seats were up, including several held by Democrats in states won by Trump in 2016. Republicans achieved a net gain of two seats, defending vulnerable incumbents like Ted Cruz in Texas while defeating Democrats such as Claire McCaskill in Missouri and Heidi Heitkamp in North Dakota. This expanded the Republican majority, strengthening the position of Mitch McConnell as Senate Majority Leader.
State elections
Thirty-nine gubernatorial elections were held, including high-profile contests in Florida, Georgia, and Wisconsin. Democrats gained seven governorships, flipping key states like Michigan (Gretchen Whitmer), Illinois (J. B. Pritzker), and Kansas (Laura Kelly). Republicans retained critical governorships in Florida (Ron DeSantis) and Ohio (Mike DeWine). Numerous state legislative chambers also saw Democratic gains, though Republicans maintained control of a majority. Several states, including Colorado, Michigan, and Utah, passed ballot initiatives on issues such as redistricting reform, Medicaid expansion, and marijuana legalization.
Local elections
Thousands of local elections occurred for positions like mayor, county executive, and city council. Notable mayoral races included the re-election of Bill de Blasio in New York City and the election of LaToya Cantrell in New Orleans. Many local contests became referendums on national issues, with debates over policing practices, housing policy, and climate action shaping campaigns. District Attorney elections in jurisdictions like Philadelphia and San Antonio saw progressive candidates emphasizing criminal justice reform.
Analysis and aftermath
The results were interpreted as a significant check on the Trump administration, enabling House Democrats to launch investigations and control the legislative agenda. The new House majority immediately pursued inquiries into the president's tax returns and aspects of the Mueller special counsel investigation. The election also had profound implications for redistricting following the 2020 United States Census, as Democrats gained influence over the process in several key states. The record turnout and Democratic gains among suburban voters, particularly women, signaled shifting electoral coalitions that would influence the subsequent 2020 United States presidential election.
Category:2018 elections in the United States Category:2018 United States elections Category:Midterm elections in the United States