Democrats have won control of both chambers of the US Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, delivering a major electoral setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The results, announced following voting on November 3, reflect widespread voter dissatisfaction with rising living costs, the war against Iran and the direction of the Trump administration.
The Democratic Party secured at least 54 seats in the Senate and gained more than 30 seats in the House of Representatives, according to election results reported on Wednesday. The victories ended Republican control of Congress and gave Democrats a majority in both chambers for the first time since 2023.
The outcome will significantly change the political balance in Washington during the final two years of Trump’s presidency. With control of Congress, Democrats will have greater authority to scrutinise the administration, investigate government activities, influence federal spending and challenge the president’s legislative priorities.
The Senate victories were particularly significant because Democrats overturned Republican-held seats in several traditionally conservative states. The party secured victories in Texas, Kansas, Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maine, producing seven Senate seat gains.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, delivering one of the election’s most closely watched results. Talarico’s victory made him the first Democrat elected to represent Texas in the US Senate since 1988.
Paxton had received Trump’s endorsement and substantial financial backing from billionaire Elon Musk. According to campaign finance analysis by OpenSecrets, Musk spent at least $455 million supporting Republican candidates and conservative causes during the election cycle, including more than $200 million connected to the Texas Senate contest.
Democrats also made historic gains in Kansas, where Adam Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall. The result marked the party’s first Senate victory in the state since 1932.
In South Carolina, Annie Andrews defeated her Republican opponent, ending a 28-year period without a Democratic Senate victory in the state. Roy Cooper won North Carolina’s Senate race, while Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Jon Husted in Ohio.
Iowa also elected Democrat Josh Turek, a former Paralympian, to a Republican-held Senate seat. In Maine, Troy Jackson defeated incumbent Republican Senator Susan Collins, adding another significant victory to the Democratic gains.
Michigan produced another historic result with the election of Abdul El-Sayed, who became the first Muslim to serve in the US Senate. The former public health official defeated Republican Mike Rogers in a campaign that drew national attention because of disagreements over religion, healthcare and American foreign policy.
El-Sayed faced anti-Muslim attacks during the campaign, including unsupported allegations about his religious beliefs and loyalty to the United States, according to Reuters. Responding to the campaign after his victory, he accused Rogers of running “one of the ugliest campaigns we’ve seen in our lifetimes”.
The Democratic gains extended beyond Congress, with the party also securing several important gubernatorial victories.
In Georgia, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of a US state. Her victory represented a major political breakthrough in a state that has remained central to recent national election contests.
Texas also elected Gina Hinojosa as governor after she defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott. Her victory made her the state’s first Latina governor and ended more than three decades of Republican control of the office.
In New Mexico, Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman elected governor of a US state. Wisconsin elected David Crowley as its first Black governor, while Aaron Ford secured victory in Nevada.
Economic dissatisfaction played a central role in the election campaign. Rising household expenses, higher petrol prices and concerns about the country’s economic direction featured prominently in voters’ decisions.
An Associated Press voter poll found that approximately three-quarters of voters were angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country. The polling also indicated that around 70 per cent wanted Congress to exercise greater oversight of the presidency.
Trump acknowledged that the war against Iran and rising petrol prices had contributed to Republican losses. Speaking to Fox News, he said, “I think a part of it was Iran”, while defending his administration’s military decisions.
The president also suggested that his absence from the ballot had affected the Republican performance, arguing that the party might have achieved better results if he had been standing for election.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he was “absolutely willing to accept those results” and indicated that he was prepared to negotiate with Democratic leaders.
Former US President Barack Obama also welcomed the election outcome, saying voters wanted political leaders who addressed their concerns rather than deepened divisions. In a message posted on X, Obama wrote, “Tonight, the American people sent a clear message.”
Democratic control of the Senate and House of Representatives gives the party several important tools to challenge the Trump administration. Its new congressional majorities will allow Democrats to lead committee investigations, influence government spending legislation and exercise greater control over Senate confirmation proceedings for presidential appointments.
However, controlling Congress does not mean Democrats will have unrestricted power to implement their legislative agenda. Trump remains president and retains the authority to veto legislation, meaning major policy changes could face further political and legislative battles.
Several election contests were still unresolved on Wednesday morning, including Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi, where officials continued counting ballots. Their final results could further influence the size of the Democratic majority.
The election has nevertheless established a new political reality in Washington. With Democrats controlling both chambers, Trump will face a more powerful congressional opposition during the remaining years of his presidency, creating new challenges for his administration’s domestic and foreign policy priorities.
