Democrats Win Control of House and Senate in 2026 Midterms

The Democratic Party won control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 3, 2026, midterm elections, creating a divided government for the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. Democrats flipped at least seven Senate seats, including long-term Republican strongholds in Texas, South Carolina, and Kansas, and captured between 240 and 258 seats in the House. The victory produced historic firsts, including the election of Abdul El-Sayed as the first Muslim U.S. senator and Keisha Lance Bottoms as the first Black woman governor in U.S. history. Hakeem Jeffries is set to become the first Black speaker of the House.

Republican losses are attributed to soaring inflation, high energy prices, and a military conflict in Iran that closed the Strait of Hormuz and drove gasoline prices above $4 per gallon. Donald Trump acknowledged the impact of the war but defended his military decisions, while also stating that "Voters did not like the Republican candidates." Republican strategists cited poor candidate recruitment and the endorsement of scandal-ridden figures as contributing factors to the collapse.

Within the Democratic caucus, Senate leader Chuck Schumer is credited as the principal architect of the victory, though some newly elected senators, including Troy Jackson of Maine, have stated they will support other leadership. While Democrats now hold legislative leverage over budgets and judicial nominations, President Trump retains executive authority and veto power. Two Senate races in Alaska and Mississippi remain undecided as vote counting continues.