Final answer:
The Populists had significant effects on the national and local political landscape, even though they lost the 1896 election.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effects of the Populists, even though they lost the 1896 election, were significant in several ways. Firstly, the Populists had an impact on the national election in 1892 by influencing the Democratic candidate and contributing to his victory over the incumbent Republican. Secondly, the Populists achieved successes at the local and state level by securing seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Despite their defeat in the 1896 election, the Populists left a lasting legacy in terms of their ideas and the influence they exerted on the political history of the United States.