Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats in the 2026 midterm elections, securing a majority in the chamber and winning control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, according to vote counts and preliminary win percentages from the Associated Press. The wins included historically Republican strongholds such as Texas and Kansas, with some states electing a Democratic senator for the first time in decades.
Democrats entered Election Day less confident about retaking the Senate than the House, but they ultimately flipped more seats than they needed to gain a majority. Two Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska remain uncalled, but the new split gives Democrats at least 54 seats in the Senate.
The flipped seats are: Texas, where Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton with 55.1% of the vote, becoming the first Democratic senator from Texas since 1988; Kansas, where Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican Roger Marshall with 50.9%, the first time the state has elected a Democratic senator since 1932; Maine, where Democrat Troy Jackson defeated 30-year incumbent Susan Collins with 53.8%; Ohio, where Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Jon Husted with 50.0%; North Carolina, where Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley with 58.7%; Iowa, where Josh Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson with 50.5%; and South Carolina, where Annie Andrews defeated incumbent Darline Graham with 51.1%.
The Democratic wave extended to governor's mansions and House seats. The Texas governor's race saw Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeat Republican Greg Abbott; Ohio elected Democrat Amy Acton over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy; and Iowa elected Democrat Rob Sand over Republican Zach Lahn.
The election results drew mixed reactions from Silicon Valley. SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who spent $224 million backing Republican midterm campaigns in Texas, wrote on X: "Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now." Tech investor Jason Calacanis expressed similar sentiment: "I never expected Texas to turn blue. Ugh, I moved here to get away from the left lunacy!" LinkedIn cofounder and Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman wrote that the midterm elections were "an overwhelming wave against Trump and his cronies" and that "voters rejected the status quo."
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Democratic vote share in flipped Senate seats
percent
Two Senate races (Mississippi, Alaska) remain uncalled. Source: Associated Press via Business Insider
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Analysis
Why This Matters
Democrats will control both chambers of Congress, giving them significant power to shape legislation and potentially block President Trump's agenda.
Long-held Republican states like Texas and Kansas flipping signals a major political realignment.
The results may have implications for upcoming Supreme Court nominations and federal spending.
Background
The 2026 midterm elections took place during President Donald Trump's second term. Republicans held a Senate majority going into Election Day, but Democrats flipped seven seats to gain at least 54 seats. The House also flipped. Several states that had not elected a Democratic senator in decades, such as Kansas (1932) and Texas (1988), voted Democratic.
Key Perspectives
Elon Musk: Musk, who spent $224 million on Republican Texas campaigns, wrote on X: "Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now."
Jason Calacanis: The tech investor wrote on X: "I never expected Texas to turn blue. Ugh, I moved here to get away from the left lunacy!"
Reid Hoffman: The LinkedIn cofounder wrote on X that the results were "an overwhelming wave against Trump and his cronies" and that "voters rejected the status quo."
What to Watch
Two Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska remain uncalled, which could further adjust the split.
How the Republican Party recalibrates after losing seats in deep-red states.
The legislative agenda of a fully Democratic-controlled Congress, including potential clashes with President Trump.
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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SupportedDemocrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats in the 2026 midterms.All Content from Business Insider: “Democrats have flipped seven Republican-held US Senate seats in the 2026 midterm elections so far”
SupportedDemocrats took control of the Senate.All Content from Business Insider: “Democrats have taken control of the US Senate in a massive blue wave.”
SupportedDemocrats have at least 54 Senate seats.All Content from Business Insider: “the new split puts Democrats with at least 54 seats in the Senate.”
SupportedDemocrats won control of both the Senate and the House.All Content from Business Insider: “The party also earned a majority in the House of Representatives and will control both chambers of Congress.”
SupportedElon Musk wrote, “Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” on X.All Content from Business Insider: ““Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk”
SupportedJason Calacanis wrote, “I never expected Texas to turn blue. Ugh, I moved here to get away from the left lunacy!”All Content from Business Insider: ““I never expected Texas to turn blue,” he wrote on X . “Ugh, I moved here to get away from the left lunacy!””
SupportedReid Hoffman wrote that the elections were “an overwhelming wave against Trump and his cronies” and that “voters rejected the status quo.”All Content from Business Insider: “LinkedIn cofounder and Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman wrote on X that the midterm elections, including the Texas results, were “an overwhelming wave against Trump and his cronies” and that “voters rejected the status quo.””
SupportedMusk spent $224 million backing Republican midterm campaigns in Texas.All Content from Business Insider: “Elon Musk, who spent $224 million backing Republican midterm campaigns in the Lone Star State”
SupportedThe story’s Senate seat results use AP vote counts and preliminary win percentages.All Content from Business Insider: “Here are the Senate seats that have flipped as of November 4, using vote counts and preliminary win percentages from the Associated Press .”
SupportedThe Mississippi and Alaska Senate races remain uncalled.All Content from Business Insider: “Two close Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska are still uncalled”
SupportedJames Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in Texas with 55.1% of the vote.All Content from Business Insider: “James Talarico (D) defeated Republican Ken Paxton with 55.1% of the vote”
SupportedAdam Hamilton defeated Roger Marshall in Kansas with 50.9% of the vote.All Content from Business Insider: “Adam Hamilton (D) defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Roger Marshall with 50.9% of the vote.”