Updated November 04, 2026, 7:47 AM EST By NBC News
Control of Congress: A Shift in Power
NBC News projects that Democrats will control both the House and the Senate starting in January. The party managed to win seats in traditionally Republican states and battleground areas, signaling a strong opposition to President Donald Trump’s policies.
Senate Flips to Democrats
Democrats flipped seven Senate seats, taking control in states like Iowa, Kansas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.
House Majority Secured
Democrats are projected to secure at least 258 House seats, surpassing the 218 needed for a majority, according to an analysis by NBC News.
Wins in Gubernatorial Races
In governor races, Democrats gained control in Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio, and Iowa. The NBC News Exit Poll highlights factors like economic concerns and shifts in key voting blocs contributing to Democratic victories.
A cocktail of crucial factors helped Democrats capture both chambers of Congress, including worries about the economy and shifts in key voting blocs, according to the NBC News Exit Poll.
Reactions to Key Losses
In Texas, supporters of Trump-aligned Attorney General Ken Paxton were shocked by his defeat. Despite Trump’s endorsement, prominent Republicans backed Democrat James Talarico, leading to a significant loss for Texas Republicans, marking their first statewide defeat in over 30 years.
Angela Paxton, Ken Paxton’s wife and a state senator, had publicly sought a divorce but later encouraged party support for the Republican ticket without mentioning her husband.
Remarks from Democratic Leaders
Angie Nixon, a Democrat who lost her Florida Senate race, urged Floridians to keep their heads high. She noted the Democrats’ success in various downballot races in the state.
After Democrats gained control of Congress, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasized that the party would pursue legislative goals with or without presidential cooperation. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed this, highlighting recent legislative successes and the commitment to push back against administration extremism.
International Perspectives
Iran expressed satisfaction over the Republican Party’s midterm losses, framing it as a rejection of U.S. and Israeli war efforts. Tehran pointed to high American gas prices becoming an election issue.
Historic Achievements in Gubernatorial Races
This election saw the highest number of female governors elected, with at least 17 women assuming leadership roles as state chief executives. Multiple Black governors were elected, including Wes Moore in Maryland and Keisha Lance Bottoms in Georgia. Gina Hinojosa became Texas’s first Hispanic governor.
NBC News projects that Aaron Ford in Nevada defeated Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. Ford will become Nevada’s first Black governor.
Democrats seized this opportunity to challenge Republican economic policies in states like Nevada, bringing up issues like Trump’s 2025 tax cuts and spending bill impacts.
Broader Implications and Future Actions
Former Floridian Representative Val Demings stresses affordability as the next agenda’s top priority. She criticized political partisanship’s impact on representation and emphasized the need for Democrats to focus on lowering costs.
- Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, urged Republicans to ‘lawyer up’ in light of expected investigations.
As the nation processes the Democratic surge, Republicans are grappling with the scale of their losses. The results indicate a dramatic shift, with Democrats taking control of both congressional chambers.
NBC News projects that the Democrats’ triumph conveys a clear rejection of Trump’s policies and calls for increased oversight of his administration. As Congress prepares for this transition, Democratic leaders aim to address pressing issues such as affordability and corruption.
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