Democrats Win Control of US Congress in 2026 Midterm Elections

Democrats have won control of both chambers of the United States Congress in the midterm elections held on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, according to results reported by the Associated Press, Reuters and USA Today on 4 November. The outcome ends two years of Republican control of Congress and sets up a period of divided government in Washington for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.

In the House of Representatives, the Associated Press had called 229 seats for Democrats and 138 for Republicans, with dozens of districts still to be decided. A total of 218 of the 435 seats are needed for a majority. Before the election, Republicans held 219 seats and Democrats held 215, with one other seat caucusing with the Republicans.

FAKTA

• Election day: Tuesday, 3 November 2026, across all 50 states.
• House of Representatives: Democrats called winners in 229 seats and Republicans in 138 seats in the Associated Press count available on 4 November; 218 seats are needed for a majority.
• Senate: Democrats flipped at least seven seats and were projected to hold a 54-seat majority, according to USA Today.
• Two Senate races, in Alaska and Mississippi, remained undecided when the early results were reported.
• Democrats also won several governorships, including historic firsts in Texas, Georgia and California.

US midterm elections: Senate seats change hands

In the Senate, Democrats flipped at least seven seats to gain a 54-seat majority, USA Today reported. Among the seats changing hands were contests in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, states that President Trump had carried by wide margins in the 2024 presidential election.

Texas had not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988, and Kansas had not done so since 1932, according to the reports. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico won the Senate seat, while in Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton won. In South Carolina, Democrats defeated the candidate backed by President Trump.

In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won his Senate race, becoming the nation’s first Muslim US senator, USA Today reported. In New Hampshire, Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. Two Senate races, in Alaska and Mississippi, were still too early to call.

US midterm elections: governors and the House map

Voters also chose governors in dozens of states. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa became the first Hispanic woman governor of the state. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of any US state. In Florida, Byron Donalds became the first Black Republican governor, and in California, Democrat Xavier Becerra was set to become the state’s first Hispanic governor, according to USA Today.

In the House, Democrats won all 20 of the most competitive contests decided by the time of the early reports, Reuters noted, and an effort to redraw several House districts in Republicans’ favour largely failed, with Democrats holding most of the targeted seats.

What the results mean for Washington

Once the new Congress is seated in January, Democrats are expected to use their majorities to investigate the administration and to demand concessions on major legislation, Reuters reported. The Democratic Senate can also block presidential nominees, including any future US Supreme Court nominations should a vacancy arise.

President Trump, who is barred by the Constitution from seeking a third term, accepted the outcome and congratulated Democrats in an interview with Fox News, Reuters reported. Vice President JD Vance pointed to the war in Iran as a reason for the Republican losses, according to USA Today’s live updates.

Conclusion

The 2026 midterm elections have redrawn the balance of power in Washington. With some races still uncalled, the final margins may shift, but the central outcome reported on 4 November is clear: Democrats will control both the House and the Senate when the new Congress meets in January, and the remaining two years of the presidential term will be shaped by negotiation between the two parties.

Read more on Watan News: US midterm elections 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

When were the US midterm elections held?

The elections were held on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Who won control of Congress?

Democrats won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to results reported on 4 November 2026.

How many House seats are needed for a majority?

A party needs 218 of the 435 House seats to hold a majority.

Are all races decided?

No. Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi and some House races in western states remained uncalled in the early results.

When will the new Congress take office?

The new Congress will be seated in January.