Democrats Secure Historic House Majority and Take Senate Control

Democrats have secured a sweeping victory in the 2026 US midterm elections, taking control of both chambers of Congress and building their largest House majority since 2008. The results, reported by CNN, The New York Times, Yahoo News, and The Guardian on November 5, mark a major setback for President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans.

Democrats held 251 House seats against Republicans' 155, according to figures published Thursday by Yahoo News and The Guardian, with 29 races still awaiting final results. CNN projected that the Democratic majority would eventually exceed 250 seats, potentially becoming the party's strongest since the early 1990s.

In the Senate, Democrats secured 54 seats compared with Republicans' 44, according to Yahoo News. Seven seats changed party control, while the remaining contests in Mississippi and Alaska could increase the Democratic total to 55 or 56.

Republican losses extended across traditionally conservative territory. Democrats captured congressional seats in Arizona, Virginia, Colorado, Montana, Texas, and other states. In Montana, Sam Forstag, a former US Forest Service smoke jumper and union leader, defeated a Republican incumbent after campaigning on labor issues.

Texas also delivered a significant Democratic breakthrough. James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to represent the state in the US Senate since 1988, according to Yahoo News. In North Carolina, Roy Cooper secured 1.8 million early votes, exceeding Republican Michael Whatley's 1.6 million votes across all voting methods.

Mississippi remains one of the most closely watched contests. Democratic candidate Scott Colom expanded his advantage over Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith to more than 1,700 votes, with thousands of absentee and provisional ballots still awaiting tabulation, CNN reported.

Mississippi Republican Party Chair Mike Hurst said the party had deployed more than 50 volunteer attorneys and observers to monitor the counting process. Republicans also requested that election officials preserve relevant voting records and provisional ballots.

"Our attorneys and observers, right now, are documenting developments, preserving facts and evidence, and recording every step of what occurred on Election Day, and what has happened since Election Day, so that we will be ready, if necessary, to avail ourselves of every legal option at our disposal if there is evidence that the law has been violated," Hurst said.

Hurst expressed confidence that Hyde-Smith could recover through the outstanding ballots while emphasizing the party's intention to scrutinize the counting process. He also rejected suggestions that Republicans were challenging the legitimacy of the election itself.

"If the laws are followed and the voters spoke, that is it," Hurst said.

In Alaska, Democratic candidate Mary Peltola maintained a narrow advantage over Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan. Approximately 74% of the vote had been counted in the figures cited by CNN. The state's ranked-choice tabulation is scheduled for November 18 if no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote.

The Republican defeat has also intensified internal criticism of the Trump administration. Several party figures have identified the war with Iran as a major factor behind voter dissatisfaction, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance acknowledging its contribution to the election losses.

"The real reason we lost is obvious to almost everyone. The reason we lost is the war," Vance wrote on X, according to Yahoo News.

Trump defended the military campaign despite its political consequences. "If I had to do it again, I'd have to do it again," he said, adding, "You can't let Iran have a nuclear weapon."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also faced criticism from Republicans over the conflict. CNN reported that Hegseth responded to the growing pressure with a video signaling his determination to resist an emerging impeachment effort. Trump subsequently indicated that he intended to retain him.

The Democratic victory has produced significant changes beyond Congress. In Los Angeles, Nithya Raman defeated incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, becoming the next leader of the country's second-largest city. Raman campaigned on homelessness, housing affordability, and changes to City Hall.

Georgia Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms also made history by becoming the first Black woman elected governor in US history. In Ohio, Amy Acton became the first woman elected governor, while Florida Republican Byron Donalds became the state's first Black governor-elect.

Internationally, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed optimism about maintaining US military assistance following the Democratic gains. He said Kyiv needed to adjust its political engagement with Washington and pursue additional support for Ukraine's defense against Russia.

"The Democrats speak very clearly about supporting Ukraine and providing assistance to Ukraine," Zelensky said in comments provided to German broadcaster ZDF, according to Reuters.

Democrats are preparing to assume control of Congress in January. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has announced his candidacy for speaker, while Katherine Clark is seeking the majority leader position. Pete Aguilar has also announced his bid for House majority whip.