Democrats Win 2026 Midterms, Taking Control of the House

Democrats won a majority of House seats in the 2026 midterm elections, reversing a projected Republican gain. Political analysts compare the shift in power to the elections of 1994, 2010, and 2018. Democrats won more than 240 House seats and held 54 Senate seats. Their victories included districts in South Carolina and Kansas that had favored Republicans for decades.

President Donald Trump stated he will veto bills he deems extreme but is open to working on specific issues. Several elected Democrats described the results as a mandate to investigate administration officials for corruption and influence peddling. The party now faces a choice between pursuing radical legislation or working with its new moderate members.

Progressive lawmakers, including Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan and Representatives-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier, Claire Valdez, Melat Kiros, Donavan McKinney, and Chris Rabb, plan to push for Medicare for All. They also intend to defund ICE and oppose aid to Israel. Many of these candidates are affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America.

Moderate Democrats secured the votes needed for a majority by flipping solidly Republican districts. Don Leonard won in central Ohio, Rebecca Cooke in Wisconsin, Christina Bohannan in Iowa, and Fred Wellman in Missouri. Senators-elect Adam Hamilton of Kansas, Josh Turek of Iowa, and Annie Andrews of South Carolina also won in previously Republican areas.

The new leadership structure will test the relationship between Congress and the White House. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said he will not seek the minority leadership role. Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio are both running for the position. Jordan is a close ally of Trump who lost the speakership vote in 2023.

The lame duck session faces two major deadlines before year's end. Government funding expires on December 11, which could trigger a shutdown. The FISA Section 702 reauthorization is also urgent because the program has operated without approval since spring. Intelligence services said action is needed later this month to prevent operational difficulties.