In the United States, local elections are taking place one after the other, and they all have a similar pattern: the Democratic Party is gaining momentum, riding on an anti-Trump wave.
Fourteen months into President Trump’s term, the Democrats are making a strong comeback. Previously seen as weak after Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election following a failed candidacy by Joe Biden, the Democrats now seem unstoppable. They are winning election after election at the local level. Last week, one of their candidates even won in Palm Beach, in the county where Donald Trump’s luxurious residence, Mar-a-Lago, is located. The fact that the president’s neighbors could see a progressive young woman elected in the Florida Parliament has caused quite a stir in the United States. This election is just one of many across the country where conservative candidates are being soundly beaten and attracting far fewer voters than in previous elections.
Republicans are no longer taking these losses lightly. Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, pointed out that while midterm elections may not necessarily provide insight into national elections, such a significant shift cannot be ignored. Polls are showing disastrous results for the Republicans.
Projection suggests a potential large victory for the Democrats in the upcoming Midterms, where the House of Representatives (equivalent to the National Assembly) and a third of the Senate will be up for renewal. It is even possible that the progressive camp could secure a majority in the Senate, a scenario that seemed implausible just a few months ago.
There is a general discontent in the United States regarding the White House’s policies. Actions such as the controversial handling of illegal immigration and the conflict in Iran, which broke a campaign promise by Trump and led to higher fuel prices, have further eroded Americans’ trust in their president. Trump’s approval rating has plummeted below 35%, a remarkably low level in a two-party system, especially among demographics that supported him in 2024, such as young men, Hispanic voters, and independents.
In addition to rejecting Republicans, the Democratic Party is also undergoing a transformation, with new, younger, and more community-oriented figures emerging in the party’s primaries. Zohran Mamdani, the newly elected mayor of New York, is one of the leading faces in this change. Looking ahead to the 2028 presidential election, Governor Gavin Newsom of California is a strong favorite, alongside other well-known figures like Kamala Harris and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. However, the desire for fresh faces could lead to unexpected candidates, much like Obama in 2009. Speeches by Jon Ossoff, a Georgia senator, have gained significant attention in recent months. With Donald Trump being seen as a negative figure, Democrats are aware that they have a golden opportunity.
