Democrats Win 20 U.S. Senate Races in 2026 Midterm Elections, With Several Firsts
Democrats had won 20 of the 35 U.S. Senate races on the 2026 ballot, and Republicans had won 13, as of 10:29 p.m. Eastern time on November 5, according to Ballotpedia. The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress, the national lawmaking body. Going into the elections, Republicans held a 53-47 majority and held 22 of the 35 seats up for election, according to the Associated Press.
Several of the winners would be the first of their kind to serve in the chamber, according to NPR.
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers for an open seat, meaning no sitting senator was running for the seat. El-Sayed is a progressive Democrat and a former public health official, and he is the son of Egyptian immigrants, according to PBS NewsHour. NPR reported that he is the first Muslim person elected to the U.S. Senate.
In Texas, James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton. Reuters reported that Talarico became his state's first Democratic senator-elect in 38 years. A senator-elect is a person who has won a Senate race but has not yet taken office.
In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas defeated Republican John Sununu. NPR reported that Pappas is the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.
In South Carolina, Andrews became the first woman ever elected to represent the state in the Senate, according to the 19th.
In Iowa, Josh Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson. Turek is a two-time gold medalist in wheelchair basketball. NPR reported that he will be the first Paralympian to serve in the Senate. Paralympians are athletes who compete in the Paralympic Games, a sports competition for athletes with disabilities.
In Minnesota, Peggy Flanagan will replace outgoing Democratic Sen. Tina Smith. Flanagan is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, and NPR reported that she is the first Native American elected to the Senate.
In Louisiana, Julia Letlow beat Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy in the primary election to succeed him. A primary is a contest within a party to choose its candidate for the general election. NPR reported that Letlow will be the first Republican woman from Louisiana to serve in the Senate.
Yahoo News reported that the 2026 midterm election produced 12 historic firsts, ranging from the first Black woman governor to the first Muslim senator.
