‘Thrilled, scared but hopeful’: readers react to historic Democratic victory in US midterms

Guardian readers from around the world have shared their reactions to the results of the US midterm elections on Tuesday night. Here’s what they had to say.

‘I feel like I can breathe again’

I am equal parts ecstatic and relieved! I feel like I can breathe again. The guardrails are back, to some extent, and people around the country are waking up to the greed, cruelty and hubris that have marked Trump’s presidency. They see the cost of his impulsive war on Iran, his cozying up to tech billionaires and their drive for AI datacenters, the loss of health insurance, the rounding up of immigrants … I hope the Democrats can unify and move forward, taking this mandate seriously. Barbara Burkart, 75, psychotherapist, Massachusetts

‘Thrilled, scared but hopeful for the next few years that some solid changes will be made’

I voted Democrat across the board. Woke up this morning to the news that we had taken back the House and Senate. I’m thrilled, scared but hopeful for the next few years that some solid changes will be made. I find that I have moved past my centrist-to-left stance, and would really love to see younger, much more diverse (in many ways, not just race) people in national leadership positions. But I am concerned that real changes cannot be made unless the status quo liberals start working with the progressives more than they have in the past. Trying to not be cynical, because I know that conservatives will not follow the rules, and will not go quietly.

My greatest hope is that we start digging in and sowing some seeds of love and change. And that the newly elected leaders find creative ways to govern. But given the puritanical, corrupt and greedy roots of this country, I am not entirely convinced that can even happen. Pamela, Virginia

‘I feel that there was only one viable party for any national office’

My own state of Utah is one of the reddest there is, and I have been happy with our Republican governor and with John Curtis, one of our Republican senators. (I do not like Senator Mike Lee.) However, in this election, I feel that there was only one viable party for any national office.

I hope the Democrats try to undo every single thing the GOP has done for the last two years. I hope our support for Ukraine stabilizes. I hope we impeach a bunch of officials for the good of the nation and the world. I hope economic policy can be brought back to sanity. I doubt it’s within Congress’s capabilities to do this, but I really hope some international relationships can begin to be repaired.

Domestically, I just want to see ICE off of American streets. I wouldn’t mind if the immigration enforcement arm of this agency were entirely disbanded and … I’d like tariffs to be dropped. I want the federal government to approach AI with appropriate skepticism, and to regulate phone and social media use, particularly among young people. And we should revive the Green New Deal. Buttressing up the coal industry isn’t just bad for the environment, it’s also stupid. Electric is the tech of the future and China is eating our lunch in this domain. S, Salt Lake City, Utah

‘It will be good to have a bit of our southern neighbor back’

It will be good to have a bit of our southern neighbor back. Over the past two years, it has often felt like we were in a political standoff with the US. In response, our Canadian leadership seemed willing to sacrifice environmental protections and climate commitments in the pursuit of new economic partners and trade opportunities. I hope this election opens the door to a more constructive relationship, without losing sight of the importance of protecting nature and addressing climate change. David Roy, executive director of the NGO Workshops for Biodiversity, Canada

‘These are not simply electoral victories; they represent changing political attitudes’

I lived for more than 10 years in Los Angeles attending the University of Southern California. Half my family currently lives in the US. These midterm results represent a seismic shift, a tidal wave of public sentiment and a powerful reminder that democracy ultimately belongs to the people. I was genuinely joyous watching these historic results unfold. Against the backdrop of a deeply polarizing, tough and self-centered presidency, voters have sent a message that cannot be ignored: leadership must be accountable, power must have limits and arrogance must never replace public service.

Michigan made history with Abdul El-Sayed becoming America’s first Muslim senator. Texas delivered another stunning moment, with James Talarico defeating Ken Paxton for the Senate. And Georgia made history by electing Keisha Lance Bottoms as America’s first Black female governor. These are not simply electoral victories; they represent changing political attitudes, greater representation and the determination of citizens to make their voices heard. The Democrats’ victory in both chambers of Congress adds another historic dimension. This is democracy speaking loudly. Jayjay Epega, entertainment publicist, London

‘My concern is the Democrats being too to complacent’

I’m an independent in Arkansas, a ruby red state. I voted Democrat across the slate. I value democracy and rule of law. The Trump administration has subverted the rule of law, put us in an unnecessary war, worsened the economy, frayed international alliances that protect and defend the western world. I’m elated. My state stayed ruby red, but it was closer than the past 20 years. Oversight and accountability. Investigation of corruption. My concern is the Democrats being too to complacent, resting on the results and not doing what we elected them to do. Crista, 61, restaurant manager, Arkansas,

‘I hope they spend time on stopping the military overreach’

I was just so worried that somehow people would not turn out to vote. I had hope because of some of the positive messaging from key candidates across the country. I hope that they spend time not as much on finger pointing and investigations but on stopping the military overreach and getting food, gas and housing for average Americans. I hope that we can return to kindness and quality of life as our measures of success. My biggest concern is that we forget to get rid of big dark money and also the electoral college in politics. They make it harder for the public’s voice to be heard. Monica DeLaTorre, 64, educator, New Mexico,

‘I’m slightly afraid some European policymakers might return to “business as usual”’

I hope the newly elected leftwing Democrats continue their work shifting the Overton window in the US leftwards, making leftwing economic and social policy and human-rights centered foreign policy more viable options in the national debate. This election was not a vote of confidence for the Democrats, but a vote of no confidence for Trump. The Democrats have to earn the confidence Trump lost.

I’m hoping the Democrats work to mitigate the chances of anything like the Trump administration happening again. Democratic control of Congress will surely do much to rein in Trump’s dangerous politics, but to what degree will remain to be seen. I should hope the Dems are able to force Trump’s hand in working to bring about peace in the Middle East. The US should also work to give Ukraine more support, something which Trump has cut back on, as well as working more towards real concrete results at the negotiation table with Russia.

I’m slightly afraid some European policymakers might return to “business as usual” if the blue shock allows Uncle Sam to get his act back together and return to the usual level of international participation and soft power. Pietari Wishart, 18, student, Finland

‘I feel a sliver of hope, but not much’

Everybody is talking about the results as a landslide and a strong rebuke of Trump and the Republican party. But almost half of voters were still happy to vote for the people in charge. I feel a sliver of hope, but not much. I’ve followed US politics for years because of its enormous impact on the rest of the world. America used to be seen as a pillar of democracy, but we’ve seen how easily that can be undermined. Here in Europe, we’re having to think about how we can manage without relying so heavily on the US. I’m hopeful that change was possible in so many states. But the Democrats need a plan beyond simply saying they want to save democracy. How are they actually going to do it? Joep de Vries, test engineer, the Netherlands

‘I am thrilled at the number of women who have been elected’

As a young woman I am thrilled at the number of women who have been elected. I feel more represented and I really crave the change I feel women could properly execute. I really hope America continues to wake up and realizes we have a choice. It is time we take better care of ourselves, our loved ones, our planet. Enough is enough.

Every party has its downsides, my hope is that intelligent, empathetic people gain more power and can right the ship. Less polarization is a must. We need to talk to each other. We can’t hate everyone on the other side of the line. If you’re Republican, talk to a Democrat, understand what they need. If you’re a Democrat, talk to a Republican, understand what they need. We need to understand why we make the choices we do in order to develop a plan to unite us. Compromise, like a family. We have to. Emma Carroll, 24, MEP engineer, Manchester, New Hampshire

‘These results hopefully bring back an era of accountability’

The Democratic wins are incredibly good news. Since the beginning of this presidential term it’s seemed as though the incumbent has operated with unfettered power and no accountability with disastrous implications for the entire world. We now have hope that sanity, normality, pragmatism and decorum will be restored to what was once an esteemed office (now widely maligned and ridiculed).

The recurring theme in commentary over the past few months has been “where is Congress?” These results hopefully bring back an era of accountability and democracy in the US, which has implications for the rest of us. From the outside it’s looked like only the courts have been able to curtail what was increasingly looking like a slide from democracy into authoritarianism. Hopefully this will mark the end of foreign policy decided on a whim (and with personal interests at the fore). Vusi, self-employed, South Africa

‘This is a step in the right direction, but it’s not a silver bullet’

I moved to the UK when Obama was still president and have watched what’s happened in the US over the past decade from afar. When Trump first announced his candidacy, my husband found it amusing, but I grew up in Texas and knew how easily politicians could use the demonization of others to gain power. I stayed up to watch the results, even though I hadn’t intended to. It’s a good day, but I see it as a momentary reprieve. We’ve got here after years of attacks on democratic institutions, human rights and the rule of law.

The consequences have been felt around the world, particularly in the global south, so it’s a relief but these results don’t undo the damage. What troubles me is that the Democratic victories seem to have been driven largely by Americans’ concerns about their own cost of living, rather than a rejection of the wider injustices we’ve witnessed. There’s still a lot of accountability needed. I hope the Democrats use this opportunity to start anew, with a progressive agenda that connects issues such as healthcare and human rights to people’s everyday economic concerns. This is a step in the right direction, but it’s not a silver bullet. They’ve squandered opportunities before and I hope they don’t do so again. Victoria, author, London