Canadians react to midterm results as ‘blue wave’ washes over U.S.

A number of Canadians are still surprised by the outcome of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.

Many, including Regina-born nurse Shelby Salerno, watched the results play out on the night of Nov. 3, 2026, as the so-called “blue wave” swept across the United States.

“I’m in disbelief,” Salerno said. “It’s surreal.”

Critics viewed the vote as a “clear rebuke” of the second administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

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A political correspondent on The Greg Morgan Morning Show on Nov. 4, 2026, said the political shift may bode well for Canada-U.S. trade relations.

Excitement for the future

Salerno said that when she moved from Saskatchewan to Texas in 2024, she thought the presidential election would turn out differently.

“So for this one, I was cautiously optimistic,” she admitted. “Right before going to bed, I remember seeing both the Senate and the House flipping blue, and Texas is blue.”

James Talarico defeated incumbent Republican Ken Paxton, becoming Texas’ first Democratic senator in 33 years.

Meanwhile, fellow Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican incumbent Greg Abbott for the role of Texas governor.

“I think that both James and Gina had really good campaigns,” said Salerno. “They made a lot of good promises. So now it’s just time to see what we can do.”

Salerno called it a “big change” and said it would take time for people to adjust.

“I hope that going forward, especially in Texas, Republicans and Democrats can work together,” she said. “I think it will take time for people to accept it.”

Salerno said the events of the previous two years show how much U.S. politics affects life in Canada.

“When you hear Trump saying things like, ‘we’re going to make Canada the 51st state,’ it does directly affect us,” Salerno said. “The one thing that we can do is to be politically engaged, to be aware, to do research, to educate ourselves.”

—With files from The Canadian Press