Democrats have won majorities in both the US Senate and House of Representatives in the US midterm elections 2026, securing sweeping victories across the country and dealing a major political setback to President Donald Trump.
The Democratic wave extended into traditionally Republican strongholds, including South Carolina, Texas and Iowa, where the party secured victories that many had considered unlikely.
Voters’ frustration with Trump’s handling of the economy and his decision to launch a war against Iran in February played a major role in the election outcome. Rising fuel prices and the growing cost of living emerged as key concerns, with many Americans expressing dissatisfaction with the president’s policies.
In Kansas, megachurch pastor Adam Hamilton made history by becoming the first Democrat in nearly a century to win a Senate seat in the state.
In Ohio, Democrat Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Jon Husted to reclaim a Senate seat previously held by Vice President JD Vance. Texas also witnessed a major political shift as Democratic state Representative James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Both states had supported Trump by double-digit margins in the 2024 presidential election.
South Carolina delivered another surprise, with Democrat Annie Andrews defeating Republican Senator Darline Graham. Trump had won the state by nearly 18 percentage points in 2024.
Trump had backed Paxton and Graham despite controversies surrounding their political careers. Paxton faced an impeachment trial in 2023 and securities fraud charges, while Graham faced criticism over his lack of political experience.
The president had campaigned extensively for Republican candidates, holding more than two dozen rallies in the final stages of the election. He repeatedly urged supporters to treat the contests as a personal vote of confidence in his leadership.
As Republican losses became increasingly clear on Tuesday night, Trump responded on social media, claiming that Republicans would have won by a landslide if his name had been on the ballot.
Democrats flipped six Republican Senate seats, securing control of the chamber even as competitive races in Michigan and Minnesota remained uncertain.
The party also moved towards taking control of the House of Representatives after winning at least eight previously Republican-held seats in states including Kentucky, New Jersey and North Carolina.
Democrats made further gains in gubernatorial elections. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a three-term Republican incumbent, lost to Democrat Gina Hinojosa. The party also captured governorships in Iowa and Ohio.
Voters deliver strong message to Trump
Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff, who was projected to win re-election in Georgia, described the results as a decisive rejection of Trump’s leadership.
In Florida, Republican Senator Ashley Moody narrowly defeated Democrat Angie Nixon, leading by only around three percentage points. The result was particularly significant because Trump had carried the state by 13 points in 2024.
Democrats also retained three Florida House districts that Republican lawmakers had redrawn earlier this year. Trump had won all three districts by at least nine percentage points in the previous presidential election.
Exit polls conducted by SSRS for a consortium of US media organisations, including major television networks and the Associated Press, highlighted widespread public dissatisfaction.
Around half of voters said they viewed the 2026 midterm elections as an opportunity to express their opposition to Trump. Meanwhile, three-quarters said they were either angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country.
The polls also found that 70 per cent of voters wanted Congress to exercise stronger checks and balances on the president.
The results mark a major shift in American politics, giving Democrats control of both chambers of Congress and presenting a significant challenge to Trump’s administration.
