Five Democrats who hurt Trump most (and you’ll be seeing a lot more of them)

The blue wave that swept Republicans away in the US midterm elections has propelled a new set of Democrat rising stars into the spotlight that could take the lead in the fight against the President and his party. As the Democratic Party reflects on a historic night, in which it turned ruby-red Republican states blue from Kansas to South Carolina, it has positioned itself for the end of Donald Trump’s presidency and into the race for the White House in 2028. There is already speculation that some newly elected candidates have the star quality and credentials to make a tilt for the presidency. Already, Georgia’s re-elected senator Jon Ossoff is being discussed as a contender, as is senator-elect James Talarico, who took Texas. They join big names in the party who are being discussed as potential presidential contenders. These include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the progressive New York congresswoman who has refused to rule out a run for the presidency; the outgoing governor of California Gavin Newsom, who has gained popularity thanks to his mockery of Trump on social media; the former transport secretary under Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg, who ran in the 2020 presidential primary; and Biden’s vice-president Kamala Harris, the 2024 Democrat presidential nominee. Both chambers of Congress will look very different when the new representatives are sworn in on 3 January. And many of the fresh faces of today are likely to become the household names of tomorrow. Jon Ossoff, Georgia senator Jon Ossoff, the senator who spectacularly fended off a Republican challenge in Georgia, is the bookmakers’ favourite to be the next Democratic presidential candidate. Ossoff has been senator since 2021 after a knife-edge race in 2020, which he turned into a cakewalk last night, winning by 18 points in a purple state. Senator Jon Ossoff is heavily tipped for a presidential run (Photo: Carlos Barria/Reuters) Ossof insists he has “zero interest” in the White House. But his broad appeal is fuelling speculation nevertheless. The 39-year-old’s ascent has been marked by support from different factions of his party, and even the ability to work effectively with Republicans – a rarity in polarised times. The London-educated lawmaker has also proved a master of fundraising, pulling in more than $100m (£74.2m) in each of his campaigns for the Senate. Ossoff is a combative presence in congressional hearings and public appearances, and takes every opportunity to attack the President. “The American people have rebuked the depravity, corruption and incompetence of the failed lame-duck president Donald J Trump,” declared Ossoff in his victory speech, comments that were lapped up by his growing fan base. James Talarico, Texas senator-elect Many previous Democrat candidates were tipped to break the Republican stranglehold on Texas, but James Talarico, 37, has become the first this century to actually do it. The former schoolteacher did so in the face of heavy spending for his opponent, including a reported $224m (£166m) from Elon Musk, and by a landslide margin of 12 points. James Talarico, the new Democrat senator-elect for Texas, celebrates with supporters in a fast food restaurant (Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty) Talaraico, a former schoolteacher and Presbyterian seminarian, earned a reputation as a youth whisperer with a series of packed rallies on university campuses where students queued for selfies. The strategy paid off with returns data showing he won the 18-29 vote by 50 points, according to New York Times estimates based on results and statistical modelling. Talarico is also fond of biblical references, referring to himself as David against the Republican Goliath, and telling audiences “you are my slingshot”. The full value of the breakthrough could become clear with the presidential election in 2028, because most strategists see the Republican path to retaining the White House as dependent on Texas and its 40 Electoral College votes. The Democrat takeover of the state included another shock win with State Representative Gina Hinojosa taking the Governor’s mansion from 12-year Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. Amy Acton, Ohio governor-elect The soon-to-be first female governor of Ohio triumphed in an ugly campaign against Trump allied-billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who used her estranged mother in a controversial ad to attack her that was condemned by many of his own party members – but not Trump, who described it as “powerful”. Acton during a campaign stop ahead of the vote (Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters) Acton, a victim of sexual abuse as a child raised in poverty, said she shared details of her trauma because “it might give other people hope that you can, you know, get out of circumstances”. Ohio’s former chief public health officer put healthcare at the centre of her campaign and it proved a winning formula in a state that had returned Republican governors since 2006. Acton, 60, has also pledged to tackle corruption in politics, attacking a “revolving door” between lobbyists and government, and promising greater transparency over funding of public bodies. The new governor has already been attacked by Trump, who branded her a “radical-left lunatic”, and she is likely to gain prominence in high office. Abdul El-Sayed, Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed will be America’s first Muslim senator after coming through two bruising campaigns. The epidemiologist narrowly pipped Democrat rival Hayley Stevens in a primary contest, and in a shock move this weekend Stevens went on to endorse his Republican rival Mike Rogers in Tuesday’s election. Abdul El-Sayed, and his wife, Sarah Jukaku, celebrate victory in Michigan that will make him the first US Muslim senator (Photo: Brian Snyder/Reuters) El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, has been outspent in both rounds, with pro-Israel donors supporting his opponents over his criticism of the country, including labelling Israel’s actions in Gaza a “genocide”. The Democrat candidate has also faced Islamophobic abuse from Republicans, with Trump labelling him a “jihadist” and mocking his name, while Texas senator Ted Cruz alleged he would support terrorists threatening the US. Although he does not identify as a socialist, El-Sayed is associated with the rising radical flank of the Democrats through his willingness to break with party orthodoxy and his gift for social media communication. He is also an outspoken proponent of universal healthcare. El-Sayed used his victory speech to call out detractors, including Trump. “Donald, I know you struggle with my name, so when JD [Vance, the Vice President] swears me in, you can call me ‘senator,’” he said. Josh Turek, Iowa senator-elect Josh Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, managed to stop a long Democrat slide in Iowa with a shock victory over the former television host Ashley Hinson. Josh Turek smiles after his win at an election night rally (Photo: Vincent Alban/Reuters) Turek, 47, ran an insurgency campaign that contrasted his working-class background with his opponents’ wealth, and attacked Hinson’s party for making state residents poorer through the Iran war and Trump’s tariffs – which had hit farmers in agricultural Iowa particularly hard. Turek was born with spina bifida – when a baby’s spine and spinal cord do not fully develop in the womb – after his father was exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War, but overcame 21 surgeries by age 12 to go on to represent the US in wheelchair basketball at four Paralympics As a former Republican voter and latecomer to politics, Turek distinguished himself from past Democrat contenders for the state, and embraced what he called “common-sense prairie populism”. The Iowan – and the rest of his new Democratic colleagues – will have the opportunity to rattle more cages from the larger stage of the Senate. Shorts