Democrats Sweep Both Chambers of Congress in 2026 Midterms

Democrats captured control of both the House and Senate in the midterm elections, NBC News projects, flipping seats across deep red and battleground states in a sweeping rejection of President Trump's agenda. NBC News estimates Democrats will win at least 259 House seats. In the Senate, Democrats picked up seats in Texas, where James Talarico was elected, and South Carolina, where Annie Andrews won. Gina Hinojosa became the first Democrat elected governor of Texas in nearly 40 years, while Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governorship in Georgia. Key Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi remained uncalled, with Democrats leading in both contests.

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced he will not remain as Republican leader in the new Congress. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries officially launched his bid for House speaker, with no members challenging him as of Wednesday. Democrats are set to take control of both chambers in January.

Vice President JD Vance attributed the losses to voter frustration over the U.S. war with Iran, which he said has driven up oil prices at a time when costs are already high. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, described the results as an "ass-kicking" and a "Watergate-level repudiation," calling the Democratic shift across the country a "blue tsunami." In his first public appearance after the results came in, President Trump boasted about the White House ballroom under construction and largely skirted discussion of his party's performance.