Projections from CNN and CNBC show Democrats securing a majority in the House of Representatives, while their Senate prospects have tightened dramatically after the latest vote counts.
The shift comes amid widespread dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump’s second term, especially over rising living costs, tariffs and the ongoing war with Iran that has pushed fuel prices higher. Exit polls indicated that half of voters viewed the midterms as a chance to rebuke the president, and three‑quarters expressed anger or dissatisfaction with the nation’s direction.
Democrats also flipped several GOP‑held seats, signaling a broader swing.
In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Trump‑backed candidate Darline Graham, a surprise in a state Trump carried by nearly 18 points just two years earlier. Andrews’ victory, together with Democrat Roy Cooper’s win in North Carolina, gave the party two of the four Senate seats it needs to take control.
Other notable Senate outcomes include incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff winning reelection in Georgia and Chris Pappas becoming the first openly gay man elected to the Senate from New Hampshire.
Florida’s Senate race remained tight, with Republican Ashley Moody leading Democrat Angie Nixon by roughly three points, despite Trump’s 13‑point advantage in the state in 2024.
House races reflected similar trends. In Indiana, Democrat J.D. Ford unseated Republican Victoria Spartz in a district Trump won by 17 points in 2024. North Carolina also saw a Democratic pickup of a previously Republican seat.
Georgia’s gubernatorial race delivered a historic result as former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor, ending 24 years of Republican rule.
Republican victories were modest. Trump‑endorsed Byron Donalds won Florida’s governorship, becoming the state’s first Black governor, while Ashley Moody retained her Senate seat.
Historically, the president’s party loses congressional ground in most midterms, and Trump’s approval rating hovers near career lows, reinforcing the pattern.
Voters expressed a strong desire for congressional checks on the executive, with 70 percent indicating they want more balance of power.
Overall, the 2026 midterms appear to be a referendum on Trump’s administration, and the emerging Democratic wave could reshape congressional dynamics for the remainder of his term.
