‘We Got Our Butts Kicked’: GOP Reckons with Democratic Success Ahead of Midterms/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Democrats are gaining momentum in key elections across Wisconsin and Georgia ahead of the 2026 midterms. Republicans are expressing concern after narrower victories and unexpected Democratic gains. Both parties now see early election results as signals for November’s high-stakes contests.
Democrats Midterm Momentum Quick Looks
- Democrats overperform in Wisconsin and Georgia elections
- Republican candidates acknowledge disappointing results
- Wisconsin Supreme Court race won by Democrats decisively
- Georgia special election shows shrinking Republican margins
- Democrats flip seats in Texas and Florida
- GOP strategists warn party trailing past performance
- Midterm elections expected to determine congressional control
- Georgia and Wisconsin emerging as key battleground states
- Republican leaders urge caution but acknowledge concerns
Deep Look: Republicans Alarmed As Democrats Gain Midterm Momentum
MADISON, Wis. — Republicans are grappling with a series of disappointing election results that suggest Democrats may be gaining momentum ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, raising concerns within GOP ranks about potential losses in November.
The most direct assessment came from Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who is running for governor in Wisconsin. After Democrats scored victories in several races this week,
Tiffany summed up the outcome bluntly: “We got our butts kicked.”
Tiffany was referring to Democratic wins in the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and the mayoral contest in Waukesha, a traditionally conservative suburb outside Milwaukee. The results added to Republican anxiety, particularly when combined with developments in Georgia, where a GOP candidate won a special congressional election by a much narrower margin than expected.
Together, these results have provided Democrats with early signs of strength heading into the midterm elections, where control of Congress and numerous state governments will be at stake.
Democratic strategists say the trend is clear. Jared Leopold, a Democratic consultant, said Democrats are outperforming expectations across different types of communities.
“In rural, urban, red, blue, Democrats have overperformed everywhere,” Leopold said, describing the results as a warning sign for Republicans ahead of November.
Still, some Republicans are urging calm. Georgia strategist Stephen Lawson said fundraising remains strong for the GOP and cautioned against overreacting. However, he acknowledged the party is not performing as well as it has historically.
Special elections are often viewed as unreliable indicators, but Democrats have repeatedly exceeded expectations in recent contests. They flipped a Texas state Senate seat and captured a Florida state House district that includes former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach.
In Georgia, Republicans held onto a congressional seat previously occupied by Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned earlier this year following a dispute with Trump. Republican candidate Clay Fuller won by 12 percentage points — significantly lower than Greene’s previous 29-point victory and Trump’s 37-point margin in the district.
Democratic strategist Meredith Brasher called the narrowing margin “a red alarm for Republicans.”
Local Republican officials pointed to Greene’s departure as a factor energizing Democratic voters. Jackie Harling, the district’s Republican chairwoman, said Greene’s strong political presence had discouraged Democratic challengers in the past.
“When she pulled out, it gave Democrats hope,” Harling said, adding that Republican voters may also be experiencing election fatigue.
Georgia is expected to remain a key battleground in 2026, with an open governor’s race and Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff seeking reelection. Recent Democratic gains in statewide races, including Public Service Commission seats, have further fueled expectations of competitive contests.
Georgia Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey cautioned against overconfidence, saying Democrats may gain an edge but the state remains competitive.
“We could cement ourselves on the slightly bluer side of purple,” Bailey said, noting Georgia is unlikely to become a reliably Democratic state overnight.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin has emerged as another critical battleground. Democrats expanded their majority on the state Supreme Court with a decisive 20-point victory, signaling strong voter enthusiasm.
Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman Devin Remiker described the results as a clear indicator of momentum heading into the fall elections.
Democrats are also targeting the governor’s race and control of the state legislature. Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, now running for governor, called for Democrats to intensify their efforts.
“It’s time for us to put this thing in overdrive,” Barnes said.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, another Democratic gubernatorial candidate, said voters appear frustrated with Republican leadership but warned Democrats must still earn support.
“That doesn’t mean voters automatically come to Democrats,” Crowley said, emphasizing the need to focus on local issues and voter concerns.
Republicans, however, are downplaying the significance of the results. Tiffany argued that each election is unique and said his campaign strategy would remain unchanged.
He stressed that Republicans must clearly outline how their policies would benefit everyday voters.
Even in traditionally Republican areas, Democrats appear to be making gains. In Waukesha, Democrat Alicia Halvensleben defeated Republican Scott Allen, a conservative state lawmaker, in the mayoral race.
Halvensleben said national politics — including concerns about Trump — surfaced frequently during her campaign, though she believes local issues ultimately shaped the outcome.
“There’s so much uncertainty at the national level,” she said. “That uncertainty is causing people a lot of anxiety, all the way down to the local level.”
As both parties prepare for November, these early election results are shaping expectations for a competitive and potentially volatile midterm season. Democrats see growing momentum, while Republicans are weighing whether recent setbacks represent temporary fluctuations or warning signs of broader challenges ahead.
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