Democrats take both US congressional chambers in midterms
Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate in the US midterm elections held on 3 November 2026. Democrats had at least 228 House seats as of Wednesday morning, above the 218 needed for a majority, and NBC News projected a final House count of 258 to 177. The party will hold at least 54 Senate seats, with Alaska and Mississippi still unresolved. Democrats also flipped governorships in Texas, Georgia, Iowa and other states, and captured full control of several state legislatures.
Key facts
- Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott in Texas, becoming the state's first Latina governor.
- Troy Jackson defeated incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine, one of seven Senate seats Democrats flipped.
- Democrats flipped at least 11 state legislative chambers from Republican to Democratic control.
- Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman governor of Georgia.
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Why it matters
The result ends the Republican grip on Congress and gives Democrats power over legislation, committees and investigations.
What changed
First published from South China Morning Post, The Conversation, RTÉ News, Rappler and Daily Maverick