Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress in the November 2026 midterm elections, sweeping into majorities in the House and Senate and flipping seats across the country in an outcome that reshapes Washington governance.
Voters Elect Democrats to Senate Seats in Red States
In the U.S.
The results marked several historic milestones in traditionally red states. In Texas and Kansas, voters elected Democrats to the Senate for the first time in decades—since 1988 in Texas and 1932 in Kansas, respectively—driven by high voter turnout and shifts among independent and Hispanic voters. In South Carolina, Annie Andrews became projected to become the first woman elected in that position, while in North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper decisively won the state’s Senate race as detailed by ABC News. In the House, upsets unfolded across multiple states.
The 1994 “revolution” saw Rs win the popular vote by 6.8 pts 2006 was D + 7.9 2010 was R + 6.8 2018 was D + 8.6 2026 Ds are tracking toward a 13-pt popular vote win Have to go back half a century—the post-Watergate wipeout of 1974, D + 16.8 pts—to find anything like this. https://t.co/faKLg26Gus
In Colorado’s 8th District, Democrat Manny Rutinel defeated GOP Rep. Gabe Evans, and in another Colorado district, Jessica Killin unseated Jeff Crank to become the first Democrat to ever represent the Colorado Springs-area district. In Iowa’s 3rd District, GOP Rep. Zach Nunn was unseated by Democrat Sarah Trone Garriott. Elon Musk spent nearly half a billion dollars supporting Republican candidates, including approximately $200 million in Texas to elect Ken Paxton for the Senate, who lost.
Voters Turn Out Following Economic Discontent
Voters went to the polls following almost two years of the Trump presidency and his administration’s agenda, with results reflecting a massive rebuke of the last two years of the Trump administration. President Trump’s approval ratings fell to just under 30%, making him the lowest approval rating he has ever had.
If the remaining results go as expected, Democrats will hold governorships in states totaling 392 electoral votes. pic.twitter.com/Ew1yjKdM1K
Political scientist Charlie Hunt noted that turnout was strong across the country, pointing to examples like Georgia where Election Day turnout was on pace to beat turnout in the 2024 presidential elections. This surge in turnout helped explain why Democrats outperformed expectations, driven by substantial shifts in the Hispanic vote in places like Texas and Florida, where 30-to-35 point shifts occurred from how Donald Trump performed in 2024.
Democratic Leaders Prepare Legislative Priorities
With a new congressional majority taking office in January 2027, Democratic leaders face the realities of a divided government. Even though both chambers are in Democratic hands, President Trump retains the power to veto legislation approved by a Democrat-led Congress, which restricts the scope of their platform that can actually be enacted into law. On election night, Trump posted an image of a red cap reading ‘VETO’.
Democrats are now emboldened by subpoena power, and investigations will be a major focus for them. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaking at a press conference alongside House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., vowed that change is coming and announced plans to push for a dramatic reform of the Supreme Court. Democrats also seek to restore congressional oversight over tariffs and aim to compel an end to the Iran conflict by introducing fresh votes on war powers resolutions. Trustees project the trust fund relied on for retirement benefits may be depleted in the fourth quarter of 2032.
Nobody thinks this election was about going back to the status quo or being the party of nervous lawyers that tinkers around the edges.
Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus
We shouldn’t overpromise at the risk of underdelivering.
Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., Chair of the New Democrats Caucus
In an emailed statement, White House spokesman Matthew Middleton remarked that the Trump administration has achieved concrete successes in enhancing affordability for American households, emphasizing that officials will persist in prioritizing hardworking Americans regardless of whether they receive backing from Democrats. Newly elected lawmakers will take their seats in Washington in January 2027 as Republicans hand over their majorities.
Working people delivered this victory. Their priorities must drive what comes next. Every elected leader who won on a promise to lower costs and raise pay owes them action. Union members did our job. Now it’s time for Congress to do theirs.https://t.co/WD8mHP1jZI
If the Democrats, hopefully, take the Senate and take the House, they better do something, OK? People better see some real change.
Joel Rutherford, Local Democratic Activist in Macomb County, Michigan
Earlier coverage: Democrats Win 2026 Midterms in Decisive House Power Shift
Associated Press is calling the North Carolina US Senate race for Democrat Roy Cooper over Republican Michael Whatley. https://t.co/sJEnuNtgjc #ncpol
More on Democrats
"Americans are signaling the beginning of the end of the Trump era." "The biggest story is non-MAGA Republicans have broken with the Republican Party," https://t.co/l7I4WZC181 pic.twitter.com/zejDWwRAwN
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