Democrats Secure Control of Both Chambers of Congress in 2026 Midterms

Democrats took control of both the U.S. House and Senate in the November 3 midterm elections, flipping at least seven Republican-held Senate seats and gaining more than 30 House seats according to Associated Press tallies as of November 5.

The Senate majority stands at 54 seats for Democrats, including two independents who caucus with them, against 44 for Republicans, with Alaska and Mississippi still undecided. In the House, Democrats hold at least 253 seats to Republicans' 157, with dozens of races still being counted. This marks the first time since 2023 that one party controls both chambers.

Key Senate flips included Texas, where James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton for the first Democratic statewide win in the state since 1994. Kansas elected Adam Hamilton, its first Democratic senator since 1932. Other flips came in Iowa, Ohio, South Carolina, North Carolina and Maine. No Republican candidates flipped a Democratic-held Senate seat.

House gains spanned Pennsylvania, Florida, Michigan and other states. Republican incumbents such as Tom Kean in New Jersey and several in Pennsylvania lost. Democrats also captured governorships in Texas, Georgia, Ohio and Nevada, states Donald Trump carried in 2024.

Voter turnout reached approximately 122.7 million ballots counted by November 5, according to the University of Florida Election Lab. Exit polls pointed to inflation, the cost of living and the ongoing U.S. involvement in the Iran conflict as central issues. Vice President JD Vance attributed the losses primarily to the Iran war in a social media post.

President Trump appeared publicly the day after the election touring White House ballroom construction and stated he accepted the results. Democratic leaders indicated they would use the majorities to investigate executive actions and check presidential authority during the remaining two years of the term.

The incoming Congress will convene in January 2027. Uncalled races in Mississippi and Alaska could expand the Democratic Senate edge further. The results reverse the 2024 balance in which Republicans held both chambers.

Campaign spending and messaging focused on local concerns in addition to national themes. In Texas, Democratic candidates emphasized energy costs and border issues alongside the broader wave. State legislative chambers also shifted, with Democrats gaining control of at least 12 according to preliminary counts.

The scale of the House majority, projected by some networks to reach or exceed 250 seats, gives Democrats significant leverage on committees and appropriations. Senate rules still require 60 votes for most legislation, but the majority provides control over confirmations and the agenda.

Analysts noted that Republicans failed to flip any Democratic congressional seats or governorships in the initial counts. The wave affected both urban and rural districts, including long-held Republican territory in the Midwest and South.