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

Democrats won up and down the ballot in the 2026 midterm elections, according to reports from Deadline and The Guardian. Votes are still being counted on what could result in a 75-seat House majority and 54 or more seats in the Senate.

Congressional and Gubernatorial Results

Democratic candidates made up significant ground among key demographic groups, reversing many gains made by President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, according to The AP Voter Poll.

Several historic victories were recorded in statehouse and Senate races:

• Keisha Lance Bottoms (D-GA): Elected as Georgia's governor, becoming the first Black woman to lead a statehouse in the United States.
• Deb Haaland (D-NM): Elected governor of New Mexico, becoming the first Native American woman elected governor.
• Peggy Flanagan (D-MN): Elected to the U.S. Senate, becoming the first Native American woman elected to the Senate.
• Xavier Becerra (D-CA): Elected as the first Latino governor of California.
• Gina Hinojosa (D-TX): Elected as the first Latina governor of Texas.
• Amy Acton (D-OH): Elected as the first woman elected governor of Ohio.
• David Crowley (D-WI): Elected as the first Black governor of Wisconsin.
• Marsha Blackburn (R-TN): Elected as the first woman elected governor of Tennessee.
• Byron Donalds (R-FL): Elected as the first Black governor of Florida.

In the U.S. Senate, Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) won election to the Senate, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the chamber. Abdul El-Sayed (D-MI) won election to the Senate, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate.

Leadership and Reactions

Democratic leaders expressed optimism following the election results. Hakeem Jeffries, set to be House majority leader, stated, “We’re going to fight to make sure that we make this country affordable for every single American.”

Chuck Schumer, the new Senate majority leader, said, “The American people reduced the red brick wall to a pile of bricks, and as a result, there is now a generational remake of the Senate map that is going to change America now and on into the future.”

Former President Barack Obama stated, “Tonight, the American people sent a clear message – they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face.”

Why it matters

The election results represent a significant shift in the U.S. political landscape, with Democrats regaining control of both chambers of Congress and winning several governorships in states previously held by Republicans.

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Sources

• deadline.com: Midterm Elections: Amid The Blue Tsunami, A Night Of Many Firsts
• thestar.com: Democrats won back support from five key groups that shifted toward Trump in 2024: The AP Voter Poll
• theguardian.com: ‘We want our taxes spent here’: 11 Democrats weigh in after sweeping the US midterm elections | US midterm elections 2026 | The Guardian

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