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Voters decide control of Congress in 2026 midterms

Voters decide control of Congress in 2026 midterms

Rule Changes

Democrats won the House and Senate in the Nov. 3 midterms, setting up two years of divided government and oversight of Trump's second term.

7 days ago: Democrats win control of Congress

Overview

Updated 2 days ago

Democrats won control of the House and Senate in the Nov. 3 midterms, according to projections from NBC News and The New York Times. The Times reported that Democrats flipped seven Senate seats and overcame a Republican redistricting effort to take the House.

Democrats also flipped governorships in Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Iowa, NBC News reported, and President Trump told The Times he would accept the results. Speaker Mike Johnson told staff he will not stay on as Republican leader.

Why it matters

The party that controls Congress after Nov. 3 can block or advance Trump's agenda for his final two years.

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Key Indicators

435
House seats on the ballot
All voting House seats are contested every two years.
35
Senate seats on the ballot
Thirty-three regular elections plus special elections in Florida and Ohio.
39
State and territorial governorships
Governor races were on the ballot in 36 states and three territories.
218
House majority
Seats needed to control the House.
7
Senate seats Democrats flipped
The New York Times reported Democrats flipped seven Senate seats, including three held by Republicans for decades.
5
Governorships Democrats flipped
NBC News reported Democratic wins in Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Iowa.
219
Republican House seats before the election
Republicans entered Election Day with a 219-214 House edge, according to NBC Washington.
53
Republican Senate seats before the election
Republican caucus before the election.

Voices

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People Involved

Donald Trump
Donald Trump
President of the United States
Democrats won control of Congress in the midterms; he told The New York Times he would accept the results.
 J.D. Vance
J.D. Vance
Vice President of the United States
Will preside over a Senate controlled by Democrats in January.
 Marco Rubio
Marco Rubio
US Secretary of State
Left the Senate in January 2025 to join Trump's cabinet.
 Ashley Moody
Ashley Moody
US Senator from Florida
Appointed to fill Rubio's seat; running in the 2026 special election.
 Jon Husted
Jon Husted
US Senator from Ohio
Appointed to fill Vance's seat; running in the 2026 special election.
 Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Jeffries
House Democratic Leader
Set to become Speaker in January after Democrats won the House.
 Mike Johnson
Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House
Told staff he will not stay on as Republican leader after Democrats won the House.
 Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer
Senate Democratic Leader
Will lead Senate Democrats into the majority after the party won seven seats.
 John Thune
John Thune
Senate Republican Leader
Will lead Senate Republicans in the minority after Democrats won control.

Organizations Involved

U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. House of Representatives
Congressional chamber
Democrats won the majority in the Nov. 3 election and will take control in January.

The House writes and passes federal legislation and can investigate the executive branch.
United States Senate
United States Senate
Legislative chamber
Democrats won control and will take the majority in January.

The Senate confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties and votes on federal legislation.
Republican Party
Republican Party
Political party
Lost control of the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms.

The Republican Party holds the presidency and narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress.
Democratic Party
Democratic Party
Political party
Won control of the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms.

The Democratic Party is trying to win control of Congress from Republicans.

Timeline

January 2025 November 2026

6 events Latest: 7 days ago
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Democrats win control of Congress

    Latest Election

    NBC News and The New York Times projected Democrats would take the House and Senate. The Times reported Democrats flipped seven Senate seats.

  2. Johnson says he will not stay as Republican leader

    Politics

    Speaker Mike Johnson told his staff he will not remain Republican leader in the new Congress after Democrats captured the House, NBC News reported.

  3. Democrats flip five governorships

    Election

    NBC News reported Democratic wins in the Texas, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio and Iowa governor races.

  4. Voters go to the polls

    Election

    Voters decide all 435 House seats, 35 Senate seats and 39 governorships.

  5. Rubio resigns Florida Senate seat

    Resignation

    Rubio becomes secretary of state; DeSantis appoints Ashley Moody.

  6. Vance resigns Ohio Senate seat

    Resignation

    Vance leaves the Senate after winning the vice presidency; DeWine appoints Jon Husted.

Scenarios

1

Democrats win the House, Republicans keep the Senate

Likely Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: ABC News, The Guardian, Political.org

Democrats need a net gain of four House seats, and ABC News reports that analysts and prediction markets tip them to win the chamber. Republicans are defending 22 of the 35 Senate seats, and Democrats need four, which ABC News and Political.org describe as a longer shot.

2

Republicans hold both chambers

Possible Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: ABC News, Political.org

If Republicans keep their House majority and Democrats fail to net four Senate seats, Trump retains unified control. Republicans can lose three Senate seats and still keep the chamber at 50-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking ties.

3

Democrats win both chambers

Unlikely Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: The Guardian, Political.org

Democrats would need to hold all their Senate seats and win four Republican-held seats, while also taking the House. The Senate map makes this the least likely of the three outcomes, according to ABC News and Political.org.

4

Democratic Congress opens investigations into Trump administration

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: House Democratic leaders, NBC News

With Democrats set to control both chambers in January, they can open investigations into the administration and block Trump's legislative agenda. The size of their Senate majority will limit what they can pass.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November 2018

US midterm elections (2018)

Democrats won 41 House seats and took the majority, while Republicans gained two Senate seats and kept control. The election was the first national vote of Trump's first term.

Then

Democrats launched investigations into the Trump administration and blocked parts of his legislative agenda.

Now

The split Congress set the pattern for the next two years and preceded Trump's 2020 reelection loss.

Why this matters now

It is the closest parallel: a first midterm under Trump, with the House flipping and the Senate staying Republican.

November 2010

US midterm elections (2010)

Republicans gained 63 House seats and won the majority; Democrats kept the Senate. The election came two years after Barack Obama's 2008 win.

Then

Republicans blocked much of Obama's legislative agenda and forced budget fights.

Now

The Tea Party wave reshaped Republican primaries and set up the 2012 election.

Why this matters now

It shows how quickly a new president's party can lose the House in a first midterm.

November 1994

US midterm elections (1994)

Republicans gained 54 House seats and eight Senate seats, winning both chambers for the first time in 40 years. Newt Gingrich's Contract with America framed the campaign.

Then

Republicans passed welfare reform and forced budget showdowns with President Bill Clinton.

Now

The GOP held the House for 12 years and reshaped congressional politics.

Why this matters now

It is the benchmark for a midterm wave that flips both chambers, the outcome Democrats are trying to avoid.

Sources

(11)
+5
Wikipedia ABC News The Guardian AP News Political.org BBC News LSE United States Politics and Policy The New York Times NBC News NBC4 Washington The Guardian