People cheer at election party
James Talarico supporters celebrate his election victory over Ken Paxton in Texas. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
James Talarico supporters celebrate his election victory over Ken Paxton in Texas. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
ExplainerDemocrats’ blue wave and a bad night for Trump: key US midterms takeaways

Republicans suffered historic losses, Democrats won control of Congress – and Trump backed away from losing candidates

Democrats swept key US midterm races on Tuesday evening, flipping long-held Republican seats and securing a majority in Congress after voters rebuked Donald Trump’s policies at the ballot box.