Democrats win 5 key seats in 2026 midterms
Voters in Texas, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina flipped congressional and gubernatorial races to give Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.
By Layla Richardson ·
Democrats captured both chambers of the U.S. Congress following Tuesday's midterm elections.
The party secured victories in key states, ending Republican dominance in several legislative bodies and executive offices.
In Texas, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton to become the state's first Democratic U.S. senator since 1988. Gina Hinojosa unseated Governor Greg Abbott, becoming the first Latina to hold the office and ending over 30 years of Republican control there.
North Carolina voters elected former Governor Roy Cooper to the U.S. Senate, defeating Michael Whatley. Cooper will take the seat of retiring Senator Thom Tillis, who left after a dispute with President Donald Trump over fiscal policy. In Georgia, Senator Jon Ossoff retained his seat against Mike Collins. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor's race, becoming the first Black woman to lead a U.S. state.
Ohio saw a political comeback for former Senator Sherrod Brown, who defeated incumbent Republican Jon Husted in a close Senate contest.
Voters cited cost of living, inflation, and the war in Iran as primary reasons for their choices. The results position Democrats to check the President's agenda for the remainder of his term.
