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Democrats win House and Senate in US midterm elections

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Ongoing: US mid-terms Hot

Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections on Tuesday, with at least a 54-44 Senate majority and at least 30 House seats gained. The vote also produced a series of firsts for women and minority candidates.

Gina Hinojosa won the Texas governor's race, ending a 31-year Republican hold on the office. She is the first Latino elected governor of Texas. Keisha Lance Bottoms won in Georgia and is the first black woman elected governor of a state. Deb Haaland won in New Mexico as the first Native American woman elected governor.

Abdul El-Sayed won an open Senate seat in Michigan and is the first Muslim elected to the Senate. Chris Pappas won a Senate seat in New Hampshire as the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. Reports said the Democrats could reach 56-44 in the Senate if they win the Alaska and Mississippi races.

Pollsters and analysts said the gains came from economic frustration and anger over the Iran war, tariffs and immigration enforcement. Vice-president JD Vance said the war was the reason Republicans lost. President Donald Trump said the war played a role in the losses, but that he stood by his decision.

Trump said he would probably get along with Democrats unless they wanted to be destructive, and that he has the veto. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said the House would no longer act as a subsidiary of the Trump administration. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not continue to lead his caucus next year.

Key facts

Who
Donald Trump (President of the United States, Republican); Hakeem Jeffries (House Democratic leader); Zohran Mamdani (New York City mayor); JD Vance (Vice-president)
What
Democrats claimed Senate and House majorities in the US midterm elections, a result they attribute to voter anger over Trump's policies, the cost of living and the war with Iran. Trump, in his first post-election appearance, showed off the White House ballroom he is building and said the war had played a role in his party's losses but that he stood by his decision.
When
5 November 2026
Where
Washington, United States, Texas
Status
Reported

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