Democrats have scored significant early victories in the 2026 US midterm elections, flipping a key Republican-held Senate seat in North Carolina, holding on to Georgia and New Hampshire, and making gains in several House and gubernatorial contests. The results have put Republicans under pressure as the battle for control of Congress intensifies, with several closely watched races still being counted.
The elections are a major test of President Donald Trump’s leadership and could reshape the political landscape in Washington for the final two years of his presidency. Control of both chambers of Congress remains up for grabs.
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Democrats End 32-Year Drought, Break Republican Dominance In Texas
Democrats have ended a 32-year drought in Texas, sweeping major statewide elections and breaking the Republican Party’s long-standing dominance. Gina Hinojosa defeated incumbent Greg Abbott to become the state’s first Democratic governor since Ann Richards left office in 1995, while James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in the US Senate race, marking the first Democratic Senate victory in Texas since 1988.
The party also secured several other statewide offices, signalling a major political shift in a state that has been a Republican stronghold for decades.
Democrats Take Control Of Both Chambers, Setting Up Showdown With Trump
Democrats have secured control of both the US Senate and the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections, giving the party a majority in Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump’s current term.
The shift in congressional control is expected to shape the legislative agenda and oversight of the federal administration over the next two years.
Democratic leaders have indicated that they will use their new congressional majority to intensify oversight of the Trump administration, launch investigations into senior officials and scrutinise the president’s policies and financial dealings.
Trump sought to distance himself from the Republican losses, saying the elections were not a personal defeat and blaming the party’s candidates. He also vowed to veto legislation passed by a Democrat-controlled Congress.
Democrats Win Senate Majority
Democrats have won a majority in the US Senate as midterm election results continue to come in, setting the stage for Senator Chuck Schumer to return as majority leader in 2027.
The victory is expected to lead to negotiations with President Donald Trump on federal spending and other key issues, while limiting his legislative powers and influence over the federal judiciary.
Democrats have also secured a majority in the House of Representatives. More than 210 million Americans were eligible to vote in elections for all 435 House seats, 37 Senate seats, 36 governorships and several local public offices.
Trump says Democrats ‘did a good job’ after Republican Senate losses
US President Donald Trump said Democrats “did a good job” after Republicans lost control of the Senate. He also blamed Republican candidates for the party’s losses, according to the remarks attributed to him.
Senate Races: Democrats Score Key Victories
Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley in the state’s closely watched Senate race, flipping a Republican-held seat for Democrats. Whatley, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee, had received Trump’s backing.
Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia, defeating Republican challenger Mike Collins and holding on to a crucial Democratic seat in a state Trump carried in the 2024 presidential election.
In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas defeated former Republican Sen. John Sununu in the race for the state’s open Senate seat. Sununu conceded the contest, paving the way for Pappas to become the first openly gay senator elected from New Hampshire.
Democrats also secured a victory in Illinois, where Juliana Stratton defeated Republican Don Tracy in the Senate race. Incumbent Democratic senators Chris Coons of Delaware, Cory Booker of New Jersey, Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Jack Reed of Rhode Island were also projected to win re-election.
Republican Ashley Moody won Florida’s Senate contest, while several other high-stakes races remained too close to call.
Democrats need three additional net Senate seats to take control of the chamber. Michigan, Maine, Ohio, Iowa, Alaska, Kansas and Texas remain among the key battlegrounds being closely watched.
Democrat Jeff Merkley has won re-election to the US Senate from Oregon, defeating Republican David Brock Smith in the 2026 midterm elections. First elected in 2008, Merkley will serve another term after a campaign marked by his criticism of President Donald Trump. He also drew national attention last year for delivering a speech lasting more than 22 hours on the Senate floor during a government shutdown protest.
Democrat Adam Hamilton has won the Kansas US Senate race, according to Decision Desk HQ. His victory marks the first time Democrats have captured the state’s Senate seat since 1932, flipping the seat in the party’s favour.
Democratic candidate James Talarico has defeated Republican nominee Ken Paxton in the Texas US Senate race, Decision Desk HQ has projected. The result marks the first time in more than 30 years that Democrats have flipped a US Senate seat in Texas.
Democrat Sherrod Brown has defeated Republican incumbent Jon Husted in Ohio’s US Senate race, flipping the seat for Democrats, according to media projections. Brown, who lost his Senate seat in 2024, makes a comeback to the chamber, while Husted had been appointed to the position in 2025 after JD Vance became Vice President.
Republican Kurt Alme has won Montana’s US Senate seat, defeating independent candidate Seth Bodnar and Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead in the 2026 midterm elections. He will succeed Republican Senator Steve Daines, who decided not to seek re-election. Alme, a former US attorney for Montana, had received endorsements from both Daines and President Donald Trump.
US House of Representatives: Democrats lead with 223 seats, Republicans at 131
Democrats are leading in 223 seats in the US House of Representatives, while Republicans are ahead in 131 seats, according to the latest reported figures. The remaining seats are yet to be decided, with vote counting continuing to determine which party will control the chamber.
House Races: Democrats Make Early Gains
Democrats flipped a Republican-held House seat in North Carolina, with Jamie Ager securing a victory. Two Florida Democrats also held on to seats targeted by Republicans following redistricting.
With all 435 seats in the House of Representatives up for election, both parties are fighting to secure the 218 seats required for a majority. Several competitive races remain undecided, and the final balance of power is yet to emerge.
Indian-origin Democrat Pia Dandiya has won the Florida House race, marking a notable victory for the Indian-American community in US politics. Her win adds to the growing presence of Indian-origin leaders in American public life.
Republican Claudia Tenney has won re-election to the US House of Representatives from New York’s 24th Congressional District, defeating Democratic challenger Alissa Ellman in the 2026 midterm elections. Tenney’s victory secures her another term in Congress.
Democrat Manny Rutinel has won the election to represent Colorado’s 8th Congressional District in the US House of Representatives. He defeated Republican incumbent Gabe Evans to flip the seat for Democrats.
Indian-American Democratic Congressman Ami Bera has won re-election from California’s 3rd Congressional District, defeating Republican challenger Robb Tucker to secure an eighth term in the US House of Representatives. First elected in 2012 and sworn in in 2013, Bera is the longest-serving Indian-American member of Congress and serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Democratic incumbent Susie Lee has won re-election to the US House of Representatives from Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, defeating Republican challenger Marty O’Donnell to secure a fifth term. The district, which includes parts of the Las Vegas metropolitan area and rural Clark County, was considered a competitive seat. Lee, first elected in 2018, campaigned on her bipartisan record and moderate political approach.
Governor Elections: Democrats lead in 25 states, Republicans in 19
According to the latest reports, Democratic candidates are leading in 25 gubernatorial races, while Republican candidates are ahead in 19 states. Results and further updates from the remaining contests are still awaited.
Governor Races: Democrats Score Significant Wins
Democrats secured a series of victories in key gubernatorial contests.
Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson in Georgia, becoming the first Black woman elected governor of a US state. Her victory also ends nearly three decades of Republican control of the governor’s office in Georgia.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker won a third term, defeating Republican challenger Darren Bailey in a rematch of their 2022 contest.
Democratic governors Wes Moore of Maryland, Maura Healey of Massachusetts and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania were also projected to win re-election.
Former Atlanta Mayor and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has won the Georgia governor’s race, defeating Republican candidate and billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson. Bottoms’ victory makes her the first Black woman to be elected governor of a US state.
Democrat Amy Acton has defeated Republican businessman Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio’s governor race, according to media projections, ending 16 years of Republican control of the state’s governor’s office. Acton, a former Ohio health department director, will become the state’s first woman governor and the first Democrat to hold the office since 2006.
Indian-American Democrats Suhas Subramanyam and Aruna Miller have secured victories in the US midterm elections. Subramanyam won re-election from Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, while Miller retained her position as Maryland’s lieutenant governor alongside Governor Wes Moore.
Democrat Gina Hinojosa will become the first Latina governor of Texas, according to Decision Desk HQ’s election call. Her victory ends more than three decades of Republican control of the governor’s office. The 52-year-old state lawmaker and attorney defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who was seeking a fourth term.
Hinojosa will be the first Democrat elected governor of Texas since Ann Richards in 1990 and only the third woman to hold the post.
Democrat Josh Turek has won the US Senate election in Iowa, defeating Republican candidate Ashley Hinson. His victory gives Democrats another seat in the Senate as the party seeks to gain control of the chamber.
Republican Larry Rhoden has won re-election as governor of South Dakota, defeating Democrat Dan Ahlers. The victory gives Rhoden his first full term in the governor’s office. He assumed the post in 2025 after then-Governor Kristi Noem joined President Donald Trump’s administration as Homeland Security secretary.
Republican Mike Mazzei has won the Oklahoma gubernatorial election, defeating Democratic candidate Cyndi Munson. His victory keeps the governor’s office in Republican hands.
Democratic incumbent Josh Green has won re-election as governor of Hawaii, defeating Republican challenger Gary Cordery. Green will continue in office for another term.
Republican incumbent Kelly Ayotte has won re-election as governor of New Hampshire, defeating Democratic challenger Cinde Warmington. New Hampshire is among the US states that hold gubernatorial elections every two years.
Republican Marsha Blackburn has won the Tennessee gubernatorial election, defeating Democratic candidate Jerri Green. Blackburn will have to resign from the US Senate, where she has served for nearly eight years, before taking office as governor.
Republican incumbent Jim Pillen has won re-election as Nebraska governor, defeating Democratic challenger Lynne Walz in the 2026 US midterm elections. Pillen, who first took office in 2023, secured a second term, extending Republican control of the governor’s office, which the party has held since 1999.
Democrat Xavier Becerra has defeated Republican Steve Hilton to win California’s gubernatorial election, succeeding Gavin Newsom as the state’s next governor. The former US Health and Human Services secretary and California attorney general becomes the state’s first Latino governor since the 19th century. His victory extends the Democratic Party’s hold on California’s governor’s office.
Democrat Katie Hobbs has defeated Republican Andy Biggs to secure re-election as Arizona governor, according to the reports. Hobbs won a second term despite being regarded as the most vulnerable Democratic governor in the country. During her campaign, she focused on attracting independent voters and Republicans dissatisfied with their party, seeking support in the key battleground state.
Democratic incumbent Tina Kotek has won re-election as Oregon governor, defeating Republican challenger Christine Drazan in the 2026 US midterm elections. Kotek secured a second term after a closely watched contest, with her campaign focusing on homelessness, mental health services and education. The victory allows Democrats to retain control of the governor’s office in Oregon.
Democrat Aaron Ford has defeated Republican incumbent Joe Lombardo to win the Nevada governor’s race, according to the election call. Ford, who currently serves as Nevada’s attorney general, will become the state’s first Black governor and the first Black governor of any state west of the Mississippi River. His campaign focused on affordability, housing, healthcare and economic concerns, while also criticising Lombardo’s record and his association with President Donald Trump.
Voter Anger, Inflation and Iran War Feature in Election
The election results come against a backdrop of widespread voter dissatisfaction with the country’s direction and economic conditions.
Associated Press voter polling found that about three-quarters of voters were angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country, while a significant majority reported financial difficulties linked to inflation and rising living costs.
The economy, immigration and the Iran war also featured prominently in voter concerns, making the midterms a referendum on the Trump administration’s policies and performance.
What Is at Stake?
The 2026 midterms will determine which party controls Congress for the next two years, with significant implications for Trump’s legislative agenda.
A Democratic takeover of either chamber could complicate the administration’s efforts to push through legislation and increase congressional scrutiny of the White House. Republican control, meanwhile, would allow Trump to retain a crucial legislative advantage during the final half of his second term.
With several Senate, House and gubernatorial contests still being counted, the final picture of the 2026 midterm elections is yet to emerge.
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