Republican fears grow as Democrats keep notching election victories ahead of midterms

Democrats win key races in Wisconsin and Georgia, raising concerns for GOP ahead of 2026 midterm elections.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:36pm

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An abstract, fragmented painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and brushstrokes in shades of blue, red, and grey, conveying a sense of political unrest and uncertainty.As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the recent string of Democratic victories in special elections across the country has raised concerns among Republicans about potential momentum shifts.Madison Today

Republicans are facing setbacks in recent elections, with Democrats winning races in Wisconsin and Georgia. The bluntest assessment came from Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who said 'We got our butts kicked.' Democrats have overperformed in rural, urban, red, and blue areas, raising concerns for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterm elections when control of Congress and state governments are up for grabs.

Why it matters

The Democratic victories in Wisconsin and Georgia special elections are seen as a 'red alarm' for Republicans, indicating potential momentum for Democrats in the 2026 midterms. Republicans are facing discontent from voters, with issues like rising electricity rates and uncertainty at the national level contributing to Democratic gains even in traditionally Republican strongholds.

The details

In a special election in Georgia to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican candidate Clay Fuller won by a much slimmer margin than the party has enjoyed in the past. In Wisconsin, Democrats expanded their majority on the state's Supreme Court with a 20-percentage-point blowout victory. Democrats also gained ground in the conservative Milwaukee suburb of Waukesha, with Democrat Alicia Halvensleben defeating a Republican incumbent on the city council.

  • On Tuesday, Democrats won key elections in Wisconsin and Georgia.
  • In 2024, former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress.
  • In November 2026, control of the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, and state governments will be up for grabs in the midterm elections.

The players

Tom Tiffany

A Republican U.S. Representative who is running for governor of Wisconsin and said 'We got our butts kicked' in reference to the Democratic victories.

Keisha Lance Bottoms

A Democratic candidate for Georgia governor whose campaign is being run by Jared Leopold, a Democratic consultant.

Shawn Harris

The Democratic candidate who plans to challenge Republican Clay Fuller again in the November election for Georgia's 14th Congressional District.

Jackie Harling

The Republican chairwoman of Georgia's 14th Congressional District, who said Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation energized Democrats while her party is suffering from 'election fatigue.'

Alicia Halvensleben

The Democratic president of the Waukesha, Wisconsin city council who defeated a Republican incumbent.

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What they’re saying

“We got our butts kicked.”

— Tom Tiffany, U.S. Representative

“In rural, urban, red, blue, Democrats have overperformed everywhere. That is a significant canary in the coal mine about what November of '26 is going to look like.”

— Jared Leopold, Democratic consultant

“That's a red alarm for Republicans.”

— Meredith Brasher, Democratic strategist

“Marjorie Taylor Greene was like a freight train that you couldn't stop, and when she pulled out, it gave Democrats hope and it gave them a shot at winning something they believed was unwinnable.”

— Jackie Harling, Republican chairwoman

“This to me was a very clear sign of momentum and enthusiasm for Democrats in the fall.”

— Devin Remiker, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chairman

What’s next

The judge in the Georgia special election case will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Shawn Harris to challenge Clay Fuller again in the November election.

The takeaway

The Democratic victories in Wisconsin and Georgia highlight growing concerns for Republicans heading into the 2026 midterm elections, as the party faces discontent from voters on issues like rising electricity rates and uncertainty at the national level. Democrats have overperformed in both red and blue areas, suggesting potential momentum that could impact control of Congress and state governments.