Democrats had major election victories in 2025, but wins don’t erase party’s critical weaknesses
Democrats scored major victories in 2025 elections despite brand challenges. DNC chair sees silver lining as party prepares for crucial midterms ahead.
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There's no denying the Democratic Party had a very good year at the ballot box.
Fueled by their laser focus on affordability amid persistent inflation, Democrats scored decisive victories in last month's 2025 elections and overperformed throughout the year in special elections and other contests.
A year after President Donald Trump and Republicans scored sweeping victories as they won back the White House and Senate and held their razor-thin House majority, Democrats were clearly the campaign trail winners in 2025.
While they are energized heading into next year's midterms, when they'll try to win back congressional majorities from the Republicans, the Democrats' 2025 performance at the ballot box doesn't paper over the party's underlying problems.
SETTING THE STAGE: WHAT THE 2025 ELECTIONS MEAN FOR NEXT YEAR'S MIDTERM BATTLES
Virginia Democratic gubernatorial nominee, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger celebrates her victory as she takes the stage during her election night rally at the Greater Richmond Convention Center on Nov. 4, 2025. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
From a state Senate election victory in Iowa in January, just eight days after Trump kicked off his second term in the White House, to this month's win in Miami's mayoral election, the party's first in a quarter-century, Democrats had plenty to celebrate this year on the campaign trail.
The Democratic National Committee (DNC), in a year-end memo, touted that "Democrats won or overperformed in 227 out of 255 key elections."
"As Democrats enter the midterm year, our party should feel buoyed by the strong results we’ve seen up and down the ballot all year long. Across red, purple, and blue states, Democrats have gotten off the mat and proven that when you organize everywhere, you can win anywhere," the DNC emphasized.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE 2025 ELECTIONS
But Democrats are still staring down a brand that remains in the gutter, with historically low approval and favorable numbers.
Among the most recent figures to grab headlines: Only 18% of voters questioned in a Quinnipiac University survey in December said they approved of the way congressional Democrats were handling their job, while 73% disapproved.
