Republican Fears Grow as Democrats Notch Midterm Election Victories

Losses in Wisconsin and Georgia special elections raise GOP concerns about November

Apr. 19, 2026 at 3:55pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a lone campaign sign or ballot box on a city street, bathed in warm, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the shifting political landscape.As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the recent string of Democratic victories in special and local elections has fueled growing Republican fears about the party's prospects.Madison Today

Recent Democratic victories in Wisconsin Supreme Court and mayoral races, as well as a closer-than-expected Georgia special election, have fueled growing Republican fears about the party's prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. While some Republicans insist there's no need to panic, others acknowledge their party is running behind where it has been in the past and needs to carefully analyze the results.

Why it matters

These election results are seen as an early indicator of potential Democratic momentum heading into the high-stakes 2026 midterms, when control of Congress and state governments across the country will be up for grabs. The swings from red to blue in both traditionally Republican and swing areas raise concerns among GOP strategists about their party's ability to energize voters and counter Democratic enthusiasm.

The details

In Wisconsin, Democrats scored a 20-point blowout victory in a state Supreme Court race, expanding their majority on the court. They also won the mayor's race in the conservative Waukesha suburb of Milwaukee. In a Georgia special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican candidate won by a much slimmer margin than the party has seen in the past. Taken together, these results suggest growing Democratic strength in both red and blue areas.

  • On April 18, 2026, Democrats won the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and the Waukesha mayoral election.
  • In late March 2026, the Republican candidate won the Georgia special election to replace former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, but by a much smaller margin than the party has seen historically in that district.

The players

Tom Tiffany

A U.S. Representative from Wisconsin who is running for governor and acknowledged that Republicans "got our butts kicked" in the recent elections.

Jared Leopold

A Democratic consultant whose clients include Keisha Lance Bottoms, a candidate for Georgia governor.

Stephen Lawson

A Republican strategist in Georgia who said the "sky is not falling" for the GOP, but acknowledged the party is running behind where it has been in the past.

Meredith Brasher

A Democratic strategist who said the Georgia special election result is a "red alarm for Republicans."

Jackie Harling

The Republican chairwoman of the Georgia district where the special election took place, who said Marjorie Taylor Greene's resignation energized Democrats while causing "election fatigue" for her party.

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What they’re saying

“We got our butts kicked”

— Tom Tiffany, U.S. Representative from Wisconsin

“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

“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

What’s next

Georgia has key races this year, including an open contest for the governor's office. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, is also trying to defend his seat.

The takeaway

These election results suggest growing Democratic momentum heading into the 2026 midterms, with the party making gains in both traditionally Republican and swing areas. While some Republicans caution against overreacting, the swings from red to blue have fueled concerns within the GOP about their ability to energize voters and counter Democratic enthusiasm in the high-stakes elections to come.