The morning-after briefingWednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 · Politics, three ways
The 2026 midterm elections
Democrats win the House and Senate: the midterms, three ways
Voters on Nov. 3 handed both chambers of Congress to Democrats, who flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats. Below: the called results, then what Republicans say and what Democrats say, each in its own words.
AP tally, early Wednesday. 51 seats for a majority. *Includes independents who caucus with Democrats.
54Democrats*
2Not yet called
44Republicans
7Senate seats flipped228House seats called for Democrats
Three desks, one story
The two partisan desks use the same four headings and the same number of sources. Each presents what that party's leaders and allies say, attributed to them. The facts desk sticks to calls, counts and dates.
Republican perspective
What Republican leaders and their allies say
What they say
On election night President Trump told Fox News that Democrats "did a good job," and on a CBS News call offered to work with them "for the good of our country." Senate Majority Leader John Thune wrote on X: "Thankfully, we still have President Trump in the White House." Sen. John Cornyn of Texas wrote, "The voters have spoken."
Trump put the losses mainly on fuel costs. "I think it's the gasoline price," he told Fox News's Bret Baier, adding that the Iran war was "a part of it." Several conservative voices on Fox News blamed high prices and weak candidates. Not all agree on the cause: radio host Erick Erickson also listed tariffs and deportations.
Trump said he would veto Democratic bills he called "insane," then predicted "we'll work together." Fox News reports Thune plans to run for Republican leader in the new minority. Radio host Buck Sexton said there are "lessons here" and the party must move on.
3 sources · lean-right outlet: Fox News Digital (AllSides rating: Right)
The facts
Calls, counts and dates from wire services and results desks
What happened
Democrats won majorities in both chambers. The AP projected Senate control just after 11:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, after Josh Turek won in Iowa. CBS News projected the House for Democrats at 10:15 p.m. ET; the AP's House call followed early Wednesday.
Confirmed: party control of both chambers. Still open: the Alaska and Mississippi Senate races, the final House margin, and New York's 17th District, where ballot scanners in part of Westchester County malfunctioned. Exit polls: about 80% of voters reported moderate or severe hardship from inflation (AP VoteCast); Trump's approval was 38% in early exit polls.
Sources: AP (via PBS NewsHour), Roll Call, CBS News, Al Jazeera, Forbes
Democratic perspective
What Democratic leaders and their allies say
What they say
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told supporters in Washington that "America is back," adding, "This is a change election." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, "against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate." Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said voters had "changed the course of our country." In Michigan, Senate winner Abdul El-Sayed told supporters, "Michigan, we did it!"
Schumer said voters cared about "costs above all, chaos, and corruption." He argued Republicans followed Trump on policies that raised what families pay for electricity, health care and goods Jeffries said voters rejected extremism and corruption. Texas Senate winner James Talarico put it plainly: "Tonight, we defeated Goliath."
Schumer's message to voters: "relief is on the way." Jeffries promised action on affordable health care, housing, education and retirement, and to "bring accountability" for what he called corruption. Schumer added: "Americans voted for change, and now Democrats must deliver." Jeffries is in line to become speaker when the new House meets in January.
All seven are AP calls. Each seat was held by Republicans before the election.
State
Winner
Defeated
Note
Maine
Troy Jackson D
Sen. Susan Collins R
Ends Collins's nearly 30 years in the Senate
Iowa
Josh Turek D
Rep. Ashley Hinson R
Open seat; Sen. Joni Ernst retired. Clinched control
Kansas
Adam Hamilton D
Sen. Roger Marshall R
First Democrat elected to the Senate from Kansas since 1932
Ohio
Sherrod Brown D
Sen. Jon Husted R
Brown returns to the Senate
South Carolina
Annie Andrews D
Darline Graham R
Trump-endorsed nominee lost
North Carolina
Roy Cooper D
Michael Whatley R
Sen. Thom Tillis's seat; first Democratic Senate win there since 2008
Texas
James Talarico D
Ken Paxton R
First Democrat to win statewide office in Texas since 1994
Holds called by the AP include Georgia (Jon Ossoff, D), New Hampshire (Chris Pappas, D, an open seat), Florida's special election (Ashley Moody, R) and Wyoming (Harriet Hageman, R, an open seat). Among the House flips: Rebecca Bennett over Rep. Tom Kean in New Jersey, Janelle Stelson over Rep. Scott Perry in Pennsylvania, and Sarah Trone Garriott over Rep. Zach Nunn in Iowa.
What to watch
Scheduled and pending next steps.
Uncalled Senate racesAlaska (Dan Sullivan vs. Mary Peltola) and Mississippi (Cindy Hyde-Smith vs. Scott Colom) had no call as of early Wednesday.
The final House countDozens of districts were still counting, so the size of the new majority is not yet known.
Jan. 3, 2027The 120th Congress is sworn in. The House then elects a speaker; Jeffries would be the first Black speaker.
Divided governmentTrump's term runs to January 2029. Bills from the new Congress will need his signature or a two-thirds vote in both chambers to override a veto.
Sources
Outlet leanings are AllSides ratings, not this page's. Read Nov. 4, 2026.