A midterm crossroads for both parties eyeing the beginning of the end of the Trump era

Voters head to the polls Tuesday in midterm elections that could set off a struggle over the direction of both major parties as the Trump era nears its close. President Donald Trump, who is 80, could face a rebuke that pushes Republicans to reconsider their loyalty to him, and some of the party's candidates are already creating distance. Democrats, still unpopular despite their momentum, expect a strong night but are split between establishment leaders and progressives pressing for sweeping change, according to ABC News.

Republican strategist David Urban said the key test is whether Trump's broad working-class coalition turns out. If it stays home, he said, the party's next standard-bearer becomes an open question. Vice President JD Vance, 42, leads early 2028 talk, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio also mentioned, and a poor showing could hurt both. Ted Cruz, Ron DeSantis and Chris Christie could benefit.

On the Democratic side, Hakeem Jeffries could become the first Black House speaker, yet progressives fault him and Chuck Schumer. Candidates backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani should lift Democratic Socialists of America-aligned House members from two to at least seven. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he wants a party of "yes and now."

Summarized by PolitiKool from ABC News’s reporting. Read the full story at ABC News →