Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections, according to the Associated Press. The shift gives the party majorities in the incoming Senate and House, although vote counting continues in some races.
In the Senate, Democrats flipped seats in Texas, Iowa, Ohio, Maine, Kansas, North Carolina and South Carolina, and held Michigan. South Carolina and Kansas were among the most unexpected gains: the state of Kansas had not elected a Democratic senator since 1932. Alaska and Mississippi remained uncalled, but those contests were not expected to determine which party controlled the chamber.
Texas delivered a broader Democratic victory, with James Talarico winning the Senate race against Republican Ken Paxton and Democrats also taking the governor’s office. Several counties along the state’s southern border shifted sharply toward Democrats compared with the 2024 presidential election.
House gains withstand redistricting
Democrats were projected to win the House early Wednesday, with counting continuing to determine the size of their majority. The party retained Florida’s 14th and 25th congressional districts and won the 22nd, despite Republican-backed redistricting that had made each district more favorable to Republicans.
Voter polling cited by the BBC pointed to economic concerns as the leading issue nationwide, followed by the state of democracy. About two-thirds of respondents said President Donald Trump’s policies had worsened economic conditions. The poll also suggested that women favored Democratic candidates, while men were evenly divided between the two major parties.
The results will shape the next Congress; they do not change the membership of the current chambers immediately.
Nicole French 
Reid Bentley