US midterm elections 2026 produced a broad repudiation of former President Donald Trump as voters handed Democrats control of both chambers of Congress, a realignment that is set to shape the remainder of his term and national politics in the years ahead.
Democrats reclaimed the US House of Representatives, reversing the GOP takeover in 2022 that followed post-pandemic inflation during former President Joe Biden’s tenure.
Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic leader in the House and on track to become the chamber’s first Black speaker, hailed the outcome as proof that “America is alive and well,” telling supporters in Washington, DC, that voters had rejected extremism and corruption and wanted a Congress focused on results.
Democrats also dominated in the US Senate, capturing at least six seats across traditionally conservative states in the South and Midwest to secure full control of Congress.
Trump, who had urged Republicans to “pretend I’m on the ballot” in the run-up to Election Day, distanced himself from the losses as results solidified, writing on social media, “I wasn’t on the Ballot. And if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE!”
US midterm elections 2026: Historic gains across states
Democratic advances cut through solidly blue and red terrain, delivering unified control in Washington, DC.
With votes still being tallied, the party appeared on track to surpass 230 House seats, signaling one of the largest Democratic majorities since Barack Obama first took office nearly two decades ago. A Democratic official described the outcome as a “tsunami.”
Kansas elected a Democrat to the US Senate for the first time in 94 years as Adam Hamilton, a minister at the nation’s largest Methodist congregation, unseated Republican Senator Roger Marshall.
In Iowa, where Trump won by 13 points two years ago and where his tariff policy has weighed heavily, Democrat Josh Turek declared victory over former television journalist Ashley Hinson in a pivotal Senate contest.
Democrats also broke through in the South. In North Carolina, Senator-elect Roy Cooper, a popular former two-term governor, flipped the seat held by outgoing Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff easily won reelection, and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of the state. Ossoff told supporters in Atlanta that voters had repudiated what he called the depravity and incompetence of the “failed lame duck president, Donald J Trump,” and said the results should renew confidence in the country’s resilience.
In Texas, rapid population growth and a hard-fought race helped expand the Democratic Senate majority as James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton in a contest marked by heavy spending and relentless attacks.
South Carolina delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises. For the first time in nearly three decades, a Democrat won a US Senate seat there. Pediatrician Annie Andrews defeated Senator Darline Graham, who had been appointed to succeed her late brother, Lindsey Graham. Andrews told supporters in Charleston that she ran without Washington backing and would answer to the people of South Carolina.
Economic frustrations
The same pocketbook pressures that lifted Republicans four years ago turned against them on Tuesday.
Associated Press polling found voters were overwhelmingly dissatisfied, ranking the economy as their top concern. About four in ten identified it as the most important national issue, with many citing elevated gasoline and grocery costs that spiked after the United States launched a war on Iran in February.
Republicans, both privately and publicly, argued the economy and the conflict were decisive. One party figure blamed Trump’s defense secretary, saying Pete Hegseth had assured Trump the war would be an easy win and ultimately cost the party the election.
Where Republicans go from here
Trump quickly faulted fellow Republicans for the defeats. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote that Texas Governor Greg Abbott had become a RINO in recent months and would not have lost otherwise, adding that Abbott returned to his “original formula” and “it wasn’t pretty.”
In her concession speech, Graham urged reflection within the party, telling supporters that conservatives had more work ahead. She said she remained confident in South Carolina’s promise and America’s greatness, calling on Republicans to stay engaged as they chart a path forward.