Democrats win control of both chambers of Congress in US midterms, Talarico takes Texas seat

Control of Congress

Early projections from major US outlets, including Fox News, give Democrats at least 51 Senate seats and more than the 218 needed in the House. The House shift takes effect on 3 January 2027 and would end Trump's ability to pass laws with Republican votes alone. Even so, the new majority is unlikely to produce much legislation while Trump remains in the White House and has promised to use his veto. Democrats are already preparing a 100-day agenda to reverse economic and health policies of the current administration.

Key races

In Texas, James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton for the Senate seat held by John Cornyn, the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate race in 38 years, since Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Paxton had defeated Cornyn in the Republican runoff with Trump's backing. Democrats also won the state's first female governorship, according to the reports. In California, Xavier Becerra became the state's first Latino governor. In Maine, Susan Collins, who had held her seat for more than 30 years, conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson.

In Georgia, early projections show Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeating Republican Rick Jackson, which would make her the first Black woman governor in the United States and the first woman to lead Georgia. Republicans also lost ground in North Carolina, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, and Florida's Republican margin shrank. In South Carolina, Darline Graham, sister of Senator Lindsey Graham, lost her race.

Reactions

Trump attributed the defeat to his name not being on the ballot, arguing that Republicans would have swept the races had he been a candidate. Barack Obama praised voters and election workers, and said Democrats should make changes wherever they hold power. Chuck Schumer promised that Democrats would deliver their agenda whether or not Trump cooperates. Iran's Mohamed Baqer Qalibaf said the vote showed Americans had rejected war and warned that Washington would face serious consequences if it ignored that message. Cost of living and fuel prices, pushed up by the conflict with Iran launched by the Trump administration, weighed on voters, and Trump's approval ratings have fallen to low levels.