Daily national results and political developments
1. National election headline
Democrats have won control of both chambers of the United States Congress, delivering a major electoral setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
The Associated Press has reported that Democrats flipped at least seven Republican-held Senate seats and more than two dozen House districts. Several of the victories came in states that had strongly supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
2. Congressional balance of power
U.S. Senate
The Democratic majority is secured. Two Republican-held Senate races remain uncalled: Mississippi and Alaska. The reported national balance is at least 54 Democratic-caucusing seats against 44 Republican seats, with two seats outstanding. NBC Chicago+1
Seven major Republican-held seats flipped to Democrats:
| State | Democratic winner | Republican opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | James Talarico | Ken Paxton |
| Kansas | Adam Hamilton | Roger Marshall |
| Iowa | Josh Turek | Ashley Hinson |
| Maine | Troy Jackson | Susan Collins |
| North Carolina | Roy Cooper | Michael Whatley |
| Ohio | Sherrod Brown | Jon Husted |
| South Carolina | Annie Andrews | Darline Graham |
Other important results include the reelection of Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and the victory of Chris Pappas in New Hampshire. Pappas will become the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate. AP News+1
U.S. House of Representatives
Democrats have secured the 218 seats needed for a House majority. Their gains include districts in Texas, Iowa, Florida, Pennsylvania and California.
One notable upset was Democrat J.D. Ford’s defeat of Republican incumbent Victoria Spartz in Indiana’s 5th Congressional District, a district Trump won by nearly 17 percentage points in 2024. AP News+1
Leadership development: Republican Mike Johnson has announced that he will not seek reelection as House Republican leader following the party’s losses. Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become the next Speaker if Democrats maintain their majority when the new Congress convenes.
3. Major gubernatorial results
| State | Winner | Party | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Keisha Lance Bottoms | Democrat | Flipped Republican seat |
| Texas | Gina Hinojosa | Democrat | Defeated Greg Abbott |
| Iowa | Rob Sand | Democrat | Flipped Republican seat |
| Ohio | Amy Acton | Democrat | Flipped Republican seat |
| Nevada | Aaron Ford | Democrat | Defeated Joe Lombardo |
| New Mexico | Deb Haaland | Democrat | Won governorship |
| Florida | Byron Donalds | Republican | Won governorship |
| Pennsylvania | Josh Shapiro | Democrat | Reelected |
| Michigan | Gretchen Whitmer’s successor race | — | See state results |
The AP reports that Democrats are expected to hold at least 28 governorships in 2027, including victories in several previously Republican-held states.
Historic milestones
- Georgia’s Keisha Lance Bottoms becomes the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
- Gina Hinojosa becomes Texas’s first Latina governor and the first Democrat to hold the office in more than 30 years.
- Deb Haaland becomes the first Native American woman elected governor.
- Aaron Ford becomes Nevada’s first Black governor.
- Florida’s Byron Donalds becomes the state’s first Black governor.
4. Outstanding contests: still watching
Mississippi — U.S. Senate
Scott Colom (Democrat)
Challenging incumbent Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith.
Alaska — U.S. Senate
Mary Peltola (Democrat)
Challenging Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan.
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting. The state’s target date for its ranked-choice tabulation is November 18, 2026.
ansas — Governor
Audit pending
Cindy Holscher (Democrat) leads Republican Ty Masterson by approximately 5,557 votes in the latest reported count. Holscher has declared victory, but Masterson wants additional scrutiny and election officials are conducting audits. The AP has not called the race.
Alaska — Governor
Ranked-choice process pending
Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins (Democrat) has a substantial first-choice lead over Republican Bernadette Wilson. The latest cited state snapshot showed him at 49.2%, below the threshold required to win outright. The AP has not called the race.
5. Runoff election calendar
November 18, 2026
Alaska ranked-choice tabulation
The planned date for tabulating eligible ranked-choice ballots in Alaska’s Senate and gubernatorial contests.
December 12, 2026
Louisiana congressional runoffs
Louisiana’s 5th District: Democrat Pat Moore and Republican Gabe Firment.
Louisiana’s 6th District: Democrat Chauna Banks and Republican Blake Miguez.
These contests follow the November 3 open-primary election in which no candidate secured more than 50% of the vote.
6. What these results mean for the Trump administration
The election changes the political balance in Washington considerably.
- Congressional oversight: Democratic majorities will have greater ability to investigate the administration, hold hearings and issue subpoenas.
- Legislation: Trump’s proposals will face more resistance, and bipartisan negotiations will become more important.
- Appointments: Senate Democrats will have greater influence over confirmation of presidential nominees.
- Republican leadership: The party faces internal questions about its campaign strategy, candidate selection and relationship with Trump.
- 2028 positioning: Democratic victories could strengthen several potential presidential contenders, while Republicans will face pressure to reassess their political direction.
Why voters shifted: The AP Voter Poll found that affordability was a major issue. Approximately nine in ten voters considered the cost of living a major or crucial factor, while about two-thirds said Trump’s policies had contributed to inflation. Concerns about the Iran war, energy costs and government corruption also featured prominently.
Editorial assessment
The defining development is the Democratic takeover of both chambers of Congress, accompanied by significant victories in traditionally Republican territory. Texas, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas and South Carolina are particularly important examples of the changed political landscape.
However, the Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska, the gubernatorial contests in Alaska and Kansas, and several House districts still require careful monitoring.
