Democrats Win Senate Majority in 2026 Midterms
Democrats won a majority in the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, according to a tally of Associated Press race calls reported by NPR. The result ends two years of unified Republican control in Washington. It also sets up divided government, meaning power is split between the parties, for the rest of President Trump's second term.
Republicans held a 53-47 majority in the Senate going into the midterms. Democrats needed to flip four Republican-held seats to take control. NPR reported that Democrats flipped seats in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Kansas and Iowa.
In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson, according to an Associated Press race call. That win secured Democratic control of the chamber. In North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, according to the AP.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Trump-backed Republican Ken Paxton, according to AP data. Democrat Annie Andrews won the South Carolina race. Adam Hamilton was the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate seat in Kansas in 94 years, according to a statement from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Thirty-five Senate seats were up for election in 2026. Republicans held 22 of those seats and Democrats held 13, according to AP.
The House of Representatives remained too early to call after Democrats clinched the Senate. According to AP, Democrats needed to win three more House seats than they did in 2024 to flip that chamber.
Trump said in a Pod Force One podcast interview, published before the midterm results were known, that he would block Democratic legislation if Democrats took control of Congress. "I'll become Mr. Veto," he said.
