Democrats Secure Majorities in House and Senate After 2026 Midterms
Voters handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress on November 3, flipping dozens of seats and ending Republican majorities for the final two years of the Trump administration.
Washington2 min read
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Democrats took control of the United States House of Representatives and Senate in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, according to projections from multiple outlets including the Associated Press, CBS News, and The Economist.
In the House, Democrats are on track for approximately 250 seats, a gain of more than 40 districts. This includes flips in suburban areas of the Northeast and parts of South Texas that had shifted toward Republicans in recent cycles. CBS News estimated the party could reach 256 seats once remaining races are called.
In the Senate, Democrats reached 54 seats with a net gain of seven. They flipped seats in states that Republicans typically win, including Texas, Kansas, Ohio, South Carolina, and Iowa. The Alaska and Mississippi races remained close as counting continued into November 6. Republicans failed to flip any Democratic-held Senate seats, according to Associated Press data cited by CNBC.
The results represent one of the larger midterm shifts in recent decades. Democrats also captured five governorships and as many as 12 state legislative chambers. In Texas, Democrats defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott and won a Senate seat that had not gone to the party since 1988. Kansas elected its first Democratic senator since 1932.
The outcome leaves President Donald Trump facing a Democratic Congress for the remaining two years of his second term. Democratic leaders have signaled plans to advance legislation on affordability, immigration enforcement limits, and oversight of administration actions, including those related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Republican figures, including Vice President JD Vance, publicly attributed the losses in part to voter fatigue with the Iran-related military actions. Trump has not conceded the broader political implications in public statements, instead focusing on specific races and staff changes within the White House.
With control of both chambers, Democrats will set the legislative agenda, hold confirmation hearings, and conduct investigations. The new Congress takes office in January 2027. Several races remained uncalled as of November 6, but the majorities were projected as secure by major election callers.
