Democrats Win House and Senate in U.S. Midterms as Republicans Lose Key States
Washington, D.C., United States: Democrats have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections, setting up divided government for the remaining two years of President Donald Trump’s term. The Associated Press reported that Democrats had secured at least 54 Senate seats and crossed the 218-seat threshold for a House majority, with some contests still unresolved. Their gains included Republican-held Senate seats in Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Iowa and Maine. Democrats also won several governorships, including Texas and Georgia, while Republican Byron Donalds won in Florida. Coverage and voter surveys pointed to concerns about living costs, the Iran war and the administration’s performance. Trump said he would accept the results and expressed willingness to work with Democrats, while emphasizing his veto power. Final seat totals remain subject to counting and certification.
Democrats have won control of both chambers of the United States Congress following the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, ending the Republican Party’s unified control of the presidency and Congress. The Associated Press reported that Democrats had secured at least 54 of the Senate’s 100 seats and surpassed the 218 seats required for a majority in the 435-member House of Representatives. Some races remained unresolved, and the final size of the majorities had not been established. The incoming Congress is scheduled to convene on January 3, 2027; Republicans retain their existing congressional majorities until the transition.
The Senate results included Democratic gains in states that had backed Trump in the 2024 presidential election. James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in Texas, Adam Hamilton defeated Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas, and Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham in South Carolina. Democrats also gained Republican-held seats through victories by Roy Cooper in North Carolina, Sherrod Brown in Ohio, Josh Turek in Iowa and Troy Jackson in Maine, where long-serving Senator Susan Collins conceded. The party retained important seats as Jon Ossoff won reelection in Georgia and Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers in Michigan. El-Sayed will become the first Muslim member of the U.S. Senate.
Democratic gains extended to state governments. Gina Hinojosa defeated Governor Greg Abbott in Texas, while former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won Georgia’s governorship, becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a U.S. state. Democrats also won the governor’s races in Ohio and Iowa. Republicans retained Florida’s governorship, where Byron Donalds defeated Democrat David Jolly and became the state’s first Black governor-elect. These results showed the breadth of the Democratic gains while leaving Republicans in control of important state offices.
The election took place amid public concern about household costs, healthcare and the U.S. war with Iran. AP’s voter survey found widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s direction and substantial demand for stronger congressional checks on the presidency. Reports across the outlets reviewed also identified candidate choices and local campaign issues as factors in individual contests. Vice President JD Vance attributed the Republican defeat to the Iran war. Trump acknowledged that the conflict and fuel prices had affected the election, while also arguing that his absence from the ballot and weaknesses among some Republican candidates had contributed to the losses. Those explanations represent the administration’s assessment rather than a definitive account of every race.
Democratic leaders said their priorities would include lowering living costs, addressing healthcare expenses and investigating the administration. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to seek the speakership and would become the first Black person to hold the office if elected by the House. Control of congressional committees will give Democrats greater authority to conduct oversight, seek documents and question officials. A Senate majority will also allow them to block presidential nominees requiring confirmation, including federal judges and senior administration officials.
The change in congressional control does not by itself enact the Democrats’ agenda or remove Trump from office. Legislation generally requires approval by both chambers and the president’s signature, and Trump has emphasized his ability to veto bills. Overriding a veto requires two-thirds support in each chamber, while most contested Senate legislation also faces a 60-vote threshold to end debate under existing rules. The results therefore create stronger institutional checks on the White House and increase the need for negotiation. Outstanding races, vote counting and state certification processes will determine the final totals; the race calls cited here should not be described as certified results.