Election of 2022 (Durant Scenario)

The 2022 United States elections were held in November 2022. These midterm elections occurred during Republican Donald Trump's first term. Thirty-five of the 100 seats in the United States Senate and all 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives were contested. Thirty-nine state and territorial governorships as well as numerous state and local elections were also contested.

Democrats made a net gain of 63 seats in the United States House of Representatives, gaining a majority in the chamber and thereby ending the federal trifecta that the Republican Party had established in the 2020 elections. The Republican Party retained control of the United States Senate, having a net loss of four seats; the Senate was eventually tied at 50-50 when Mitt Romney became a Democrat. As a result of the 2022 elections, the 118th United States Congress became the first Congress since the 99th United States Congress (elected in 1984) in which the Democrats controlled the U.S. House of Representatives and the Republicans controlled the U.S. Senate. In the state elections, Democrats gained seven state governorships, control of approximately 550 state legislative seats, and control of six state legislative chambers.

The elections marked the highest voter turnout seen in midterm elections since 1914, at 53.5%. The elections saw several electoral firsts for women, racial minorities and LGBT candidates. In various referenda, numerous states voted to expand Medicaid coverage, require voter identification, establish independent redistricting commissions, legalize marijuana, repeal felony disenfranchisement laws and enact other proposals. Mississippi also selected a new state flag.

During the campaign, Democrats focused on health care, frequently attacking Republicans for supporting repeal of provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), including protections for individuals with preexisting conditions. They also focused on tying many Republican incumbents and candidates to President Trump, who had a 18% at the time of the election. Republican messaging focused on immigration and the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2021. There were allegations of attempted Russian interference in these elections as well as controversies regarding potential voter suppression and other alleged election irregularities. The election was widely characterized as a "blue wave" election.

Congressional Elections
Democrats gained four Senate seats, taking Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Alaska (through Lisa Murkowski). A fifth gain was made when Mitt Romney announced that he was leaving the GOP to become a Democrat. The Democrats gained 63 House seats, holding a 264-seat majority led by Congressman John Mattox of Massachusetts, who at the age of 70, this would be the first time Mattox would serve as Speaker. Mattox was one of the most progressive Speakers in history and served as a model #resistance leader in Congress. His protege, Dalton Abbott of New York, would later serve as Speaker.

State Elections
Democrats made gains in Arizona, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, and South Carolina: a total of 7 net gains. Republicans suffered a net 8 losses, however, as Alaska flipped to be independent. Democrats made gains in several legislatures, gaining trifectas in Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Minnesota. New divided governments were formed in Iowa, Ohio, Texas, Montana, and South Carolina.