The Democratic Party has won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections, securing at least 54 Senate seats and 240 House seats, according to AP results.
The party comfortably passed the 218 seats needed to control the House and now holds a majority in the 100-member Senate; the Democratic Senate total includes two independents.
Republicans, who held the Senate majority before the election, now hold 44 seats. In the House, Republicans have 147 seats.
Voters also cast ballots for governors in 36 states. Democrats picked up five governorships, giving them 28 to the Republicans' 20, with two races still uncalled.
The Cook Report classified six Senate races as genuine toss-ups, and 18 House seats were rated lean Democratic, heading into election day.
Special Senate elections in Florida and Ohio were held after the resignations of Marco Rubio and JD Vance to join the executive branch following the 2024 presidential election. The outcome of those races is not yet clear from the data provided.
The new Congress will be seated in January, giving Democrats control of the legislative agenda and oversight powers for the remainder of the current administration's term.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- With unified control of Congress, Democrats can advance their legislative priorities without Republican obstruction.
- The party gains subpoena power and the ability to launch investigations into the executive branch.
- The results signal a shift in voter sentiment and could shape the 2028 presidential race.
Background
The 2026 midterm elections were the first national vote since the 2024 presidential election. All 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats were up for election, along with 36 governorships. Republicans entered the election holding a majority in the Senate, while Democrats were slightly behind in the House. Control of Congress was widely seen as competitive, with several battleground races determining the outcome.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the two uncalled Senate races and any House races still undecided.
- How the new Democratic majority approaches oversight of the executive branch.
- The impact of the results on policy debates over the budget, healthcare, and immigration.