Democrats win key races as Trump’s congressional grip tested in 2026 midterms

President Donald Trump's Republican Party faces a possible loss of control in Congress after Tuesday's 2026 U.S. midterm elections, where voters chose all 435 House seats, 35 of the 100 Senate seats and governors in 36 states. More than 210 million Americans were registered to vote, making it one of the largest electoral rolls. The Republicans currently hold both chambers, so Democrats must win enough seats to claim a majority in at least one chamber to curb the president’s agenda. Polling closed at 6 p.m. Eastern in Indiana and Kentucky (4:30 a.m. IST) and then shut in a staggered fashion across U.S. time zones, extending past midnight. Early results are trickling in, and the article offers a running list of winners. Jon Ossoff secured a Democratic Senate seat in Georgia, Chris Pappas won a Democratic House seat in New Hampshire, and Roy Cooper was re‑elected as Democratic governor of North Carolina. These victories add to the seats Democrats hope to flip. The final makeup of the House, Senate and state governorships will become clear as more counts are reported.

Context

Midterm elections traditionally serve as a referendum on the sitting president; control of either chamber allows the opposing party to shape legislation, budget approvals and oversight, influencing the president’s ability to implement policies for the rest of the term.