Democrats Win Control of Congress in 2026 Midterms as Counting Continues
WASHINGTON — Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, ending Republican majorities in the House and the Senate and reshaping the final two years of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The Associated Press called Democratic control of the Senate on election night, November 3, and called House control in the early hours of November 4. As counting continued into the weekend, the Democratic advantage kept growing. By Saturday, November 8, the AP had called 254 House seats for Democrats and 162 for Republicans, with 19 districts still uncalled.
In the Senate, Democrats and two independents who caucus with them held a combined 54 seats, against 44 for Republicans, with contests in Alaska and Mississippi still undecided.
A Sweep Across the Map
The Senate result represents a net gain of seven seats for Democrats, who flipped Republican-held seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas. Republicans flipped no Senate seats.
Democrats also captured at least five Republican-held governorships — in Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio and Texas — in an election night that delivered the party its broadest gains in years.
In the House, Democrats gained at least 42 seats. NBC News estimated a final House of around 259 Democrats to 176 Republicans, while CBS News put the figure at about 256, suggesting the final margin could grow further as the remaining races are called. Democrats led in about half of the 19 House districts still undecided.
The new majority is on course to be the party’s largest in the House since the 2008 election.
Two Senate Races Still Undecided
The two outstanding Senate contests remained extremely close. In Alaska, Democrat Mary Peltola led incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by 0.3 percentage points, or about 600 votes, with 74 percent of ballots counted in the state’s ranked-choice contest.
Related Articles
In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom led incumbent Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 2,500 votes, also 0.3 percentage points, with about 97 percent of ballots counted. Hyde-Smith said on Friday that her team was monitoring the remaining ballots, writing on social media: “We are not backing down. This election is not over.”
The results are projections, not official certified outcomes. States will certify their results in the coming weeks, and some close races could still head to recounts.
What the New Congress Means
The newly elected Congress will convene on January 3, 2027. Until then, the lame-duck session continues under Republican majorities in both chambers.
Once seated, the Democratic majority in the House will be able to set the legislative agenda, launch investigations and hold hearings into the Trump administration. In the Senate, Democrats will control confirmations and the floor schedule, though their 54-seat majority falls well short of the 67 votes needed to convict and remove a president or other official in an impeachment trial.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance have attributed the Republican losses in part to the war with Iran, which they say pushed up gas prices. The president has also dismissed the prospect of impeachment, arguing that Democrats lack the Senate votes to remove him.
What Happens Next
Counting continues in the 19 uncalled House districts and the two Senate races, with final calls expected in the coming days. Attention in Washington is now turning to the lame-duck session, the selection of new House and Senate leadership, and the first moves of the incoming Democratic majorities when Congress reconvenes in January.
[…] up a sweeping energy permitting bill, the first major legislative action since last week’s midterm elections handed Democrats control of Congress. The bipartisan measure would shorten years-long approval timelines for power plants, transmission […]