Democrats have won control of both the US House of Representatives and the Senate in the 2026 midterm elections.
Votes were still being counted across the country when the reports came in.
The result is a major setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
It means a divided government in Washington for the final two years of his presidency.
Key points
- Democrats won control of both the House and the Senate.
- They flipped Senate seats in Kansas, Texas, South Carolina and other states.
- Voters pointed to the cost of living and the war with Iran.
- Oil prices fell sharply as uncertainty over the Iran war grew.
So why did Democrats do so well?
Exit polls suggest many voters were unhappy with the direction of the country.
The polls were conducted by SSRS for a group of US media outlets, including major TV networks and the Associated Press.
About three-quarters of voters said they were angry or dissatisfied.
Nearly nine in 10 said the cost of living was a crucial or major factor in their vote.
Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report
Many voters also said they felt worse off than when Trump returned to the White House in 2025. Mint reported these findings.
Which races drew the most attention?
Times Now reported that Democrats won Senate races in Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina and South Carolina.
In Kansas, the party won a Senate seat for the first time in nearly a century.
In Texas, James Talarico beat Ken Paxton, the Republican nominee and the state's attorney general.
CNBC-TV18 reported that Talarico won despite more than 212 million dollars in spending by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to support Paxton.
Democrats also flipped four Republican-held governorships, in Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Texas.
Mint said Gina Hinojosa is set to become Texas's first Latina governor.
The sources do not give the same seat counts. Times Now said Democrats were close to 250 House seats and 56 Senate seats.
CNBC-TV18 said at least 245 House seats and at least 54 Senate seats were projected early Wednesday.
The counting was still moving.
What happens next for Trump and Congress?
With control of Congress, Democrats can challenge Trump's legislative plans and investigate his administration.
They could also block presidential nominations, including Supreme Court appointments.
CNBC-TV18 said investigations could look at financial gains made by Trump, his family and allies.
Immigration enforcement and business dealings could also come under scrutiny.
Vice President JD Vance has given his explanation for the Republican losses. Reports said he blamed the Iran war.
Democrat leaders said they had not heard from Trump directly.
Sources
- Times Now: US Midterm Election Results 2026 LIVE: Democrats Close To 250 Seats In House, 56 In Senate As Votes Trickle In
- Mint: US Midterm Election Result 2026 LIVE: Why did Republicans lose? JD Vance explains; WH says Trump still your President
- cnbctv18: US Midterm Election Results 2026 Highlights: JD Vance blames Iran war for Republican losses
