Democrats Win Control of U.S. House and Senate in 2026 Midterm Elections

Democrats have won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate following the 2026 midterm elections, according to reports from The Associated Press, The Guardian, and NPR.

Congressional Results

In the Senate, Democrats have secured 54 seats. The party achieved this by flipping Republican-held seats in several conservative states. According to The Guardian, Democrats defended a Senate seat in Michigan and won pickups in Maine and North Carolina. The party also flipped five additional seats in Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas. As of Wednesday morning, the Senate contest in Mississippi remained close, with Democrat Scott Colom leading by a few dozen votes as final ballots were processed. A Senate race in Alaska has not yet been called.

In the House of Representatives, Democrats have secured 228 seats, which is ten more than the number required for a majority. Reports indicate the party could potentially reach 240 seats or more.

Gubernatorial and State Results

Beyond Congress, Democrats have flipped several governor's offices. According to The Guardian, these include Texas, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, and Nevada. The party also captured various state legislatures, strengthening its position for the final two years of President Donald Trump's presidency.

Several notable election outcomes were reported:

• Deb Haaland, running in New Mexico, became the first Native American woman elected as governor.
• Keisha Lanca Bottoms became the first Black woman ever elected governor.
• Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic Senate candidate in Michigan, became the first Muslim voted into the upper chamber.

Political Context and Reactions

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin stated that the results represent the party's best in a century. "This was a change election, and Americans sent a very clear message that they're looking for leaders who are fighting for them, not just the wealthy and well-connected," Martin told NPR. He added, "I think the reality is we have great leverage here," regarding the party's control of Congress and state governments.

Prior to the election, Republicans in eight states redrew the boundaries of dozens of congressional districts at the urging of President Donald Trump, seeking an edge to hold a slim House majority, according to The Associated Press. This redistricting effort did not prevent the Democratic victory.

President Donald Trump stated to The New York Times that he was "absolutely willing to accept" the election results. This follows months where the Trump administration sought to exert greater influence over the election process through executive orders and the courts, according to The Guardian.

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Sources

• thestar.com: Trump-backed Republican redistricting sought a midterm edge. It didn't work
• theguardian.com: US midterm elections 2026 live updates: Democrats take control of Congress in major setback for Trump
• npr.org: DNC chair Ken Martin on Democrats' midterm wins and mandate : NPR

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.