Democrats Take Control of Congress and Key State Seats in Midterm Vote

Voters delivered a strong rebuke to Republicans in Congress and President Trump's agenda in the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats winning House and Senate seats that seemed out of reach just months ago. CBS News projects Democrats will take control of both chambers when the new Congress convenes in January, holding wide margins in each. Democrats are projected to control at least 55 Senate seats, with only Alaska still unresolved. In the House, the party could control between 254 and 267 seats when all votes are counted. Out of 11 Senate battleground races tracked by CBS News, Democrats were projected to win 10, while the Alaska race remains a toss-up.

State Victories

Victories also reached beyond Congress as Democrats captured the governor's mansion in Texas for the first time since 1990. In Texas, Talarico won the most expensive Senate race in state history against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Talarico is a 37-year-old former teacher and Presbyterian seminarian who focused his campaign on corruption and lowering costs. Paxton was backed by President Trump and had been impeached by the state House in 2023 before being acquitted by the state Senate. State lawmaker Hinojosa bested Republican incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas, making her the first Democrat to win the governor's mansion in over 30 years and the third woman to lead the state. Abbott had been in office for more than a decade and was seeking a fourth term, with affordability, public education, and data centers emerging as major issues.

Senate Upsets

Pediatrician Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina, marking nearly 30 years since a Democrat won a Senate seat in the state. Graham was appointed following the July death of her brother, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and was campaigned for by President Trump. In Kansas, 62-year-old church leader Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall, who was seeking his second term. Kansas has not elected a Democratic senator since 1932. Marshall faced scrutiny after reports that he filed lawsuits against hundreds of patients over medical bills, leading to 81 arrests. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor's race against Republican Rick Jackson and Libertarian Chase Oliver, securing 54.3% of the vote with 99% counted. In Michigan, El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in a contentious race that kept the seat in Democratic hands despite anti-Muslim attacks and scrutiny over El-Sayed's views on Israel and U.S. foreign policy. In Maine, Jackson defeated GOP Sen. Susan Collins, who had represented the state since 1996.

Context

Midterm elections happen halfway through a president's four-year term and often serve as a referendum on the current administration's policies. Control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate allows a party to shape the legislative agenda, confirm judicial and cabinet appointments, and conduct congressional oversight.