Democrats captured control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in Tuesday’s midterm elections, defeating Republicans in states that had not elected Democratic U.S. senators in decades and winning governorships across the country. The election also produced several historic firsts, including the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate, the first Black woman elected governor in American history and victories by candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America.
The Associated Press projected Democratic majorities in both chambers early Wednesday, ending Republican control of Congress halfway through President Donald Trump’s second term. Democrats flipped at least seven Republican-held U.S. Senate seats and more than two dozen U.S. House districts, including some that Trump had carried by double digits in 2024.
In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate from Kansas since 1932. In Texas, Democratic state Rep. James Talaricodefeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, ending a 38-year stretch without a Democratic U.S. Senate victory in the Lone Star State.
Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican U.S. Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina, which last elected a Democratic U.S. senator in 1998. In Iowa, Democrat Josh Turek defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, winning a seat held by Republicans since 2015.
Former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown defeated Republican U.S. Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio, returning to Washington after losing his reelection bid in 2024. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated five-term Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, while former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley.
Democrats also retained competitive seats, including the Georgia U.S. Senate seat held by Jon Ossoff, the state’s first 91传媒 U.S. senator, who won reelection.
Republicans retained some prominent offices. Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody won in Florida, where Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds was elected governor.
The Democratic majorities give the party control of congressional committees, legislative agendas and investigations of the Trump administration. Trump retains the power to veto legislation, while Senate Democrats will also have to contend with the chamber’s procedural rules.
El-Sayed Wins Contentious, Expensive Senate Race in Michigan
In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, becoming the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate. El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health official, will succeed retiring Democratic U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.
His victory followed a contentious campaign involving disagreements over Israel, antisemitism and the direction of the Democratic Party.
El-Sayed defeated U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens in the Democratic primary by approximately 14,000 votes. Stevens initially endorsed him afterward, but days before the general election reversed course and endorsed Rogers, prompting her expulsion from the Michigan Democratic Party. El-Sayed also faced criticism from 91传媒 leaders over his response to an attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township. Although he condemned the attack, his subsequent use of the phrase 鈥渉urt people hurt people鈥� drew accusations that he was excusing violence against Jews. He later apologized to the Michigan 91传媒 Democratic Caucus.
鈥淲e don’t want our money sent to do apartheid, or genocide, or war,鈥� El-Sayed said during his victory speech in Detroit early Wednesday. The remarks followed his criticism of American support for Israel and his accusations that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, a characterization Israel rejects.
El-Sayed also addressed AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobbying organization that opposed his candidacy.
鈥淭hank you for giving me the opportunity to beat you twice,鈥� he said, referring to the primary and general election campaigns. El-Sayed also claimed that AIPAC of spending $42 million against him.
鈥淒onald, look. I know. You struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you could just go on and call me senator,鈥� El-Sayed said.
An Election of Historic Firsts
The election produced historic victories across both political parties.
In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor in American history, defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson. She also became the first Democrat elected Georgia governor since 1998.
Wisconsin elected its first Black governor, Democrat David Crowley, while Florida elected its first Black governor, Republican Byron Donalds.
Democrat Deb Haaland, a former U.S. interior secretary, became the first Native American woman elected governor, winning in New Mexico. In Minnesota, Democrat Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.
Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former Republican U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu in New Hampshire, becoming the first openly gay man elected to the U.S. Senate.
Texas elected Democrat Gina Hinojosa as its first Latina governor. She defeated three-term Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, becoming the first Democrat elected to lead Texas since Ann Richards in 1990.
In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, becoming the first woman elected governor of Ohio.
Democrats’ takeover of the U.S. House also puts New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries in position to become the country’s first Black speaker of the House, although the speakership will not be determined until the new Congress convenes.
Democratic Socialists Win Five Congressional Seats
At least five candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America won U.S. House elections Tuesday. The organization advocates socialist economic policies and opposes U.S. military assistance to Israel.
At least five candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America won seats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, according to NPR. Claire Valdez won in New York’s 7th Congressional District, covering portions of Brooklyn and Queens, while Darializa Avila Chevalier won in New York’s 13th Congressional District, covering parts of Upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
Melat Kiros won in Colorado’s 1st Congressional District, which includes Denver; Donavan McKinney won in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, covering part of Detroit and surrounding communities; and Chris Rabb won in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes much of Philadelphia.
All five won in Democratic strongholds. Several defeated incumbent Democrats in their primaries, including Kiros, who unseated 15-term U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette; Avila Chevalier, who defeated U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat, then chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus; and McKinney, who defeated U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar.
The candidates campaigned on proposals including expanded government healthcare and childcare programs. Several also opposed U.S. military assistance to Israel and rejected campaign contributions from pro-Israel political organizations.
Their victories increase the number of DSA-backed lawmakers in Congress, joining U.S. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. An endorsement from the DSA does not necessarily mean the candidate is a member of the organization.
Trump and Republican Leaders Respond
Trump responded to the Republican losses by criticizing Fox 91传媒, questioning the strength of Republican candidates and distancing himself from the outcome.
鈥淚 don’t like to consider this a defeat; I wasn’t on the ballot,鈥� Trump said during an election-night interview with Fox 91传媒.
In a separate interview with CBS 91传媒 late Tuesday, Trump offered congratulations and expressed an interest in working with the incoming Democratic majority.
鈥淢y message is congratulations to the Democrats, and I look forward to working with you for the good of our country,鈥� Trump said.
But the president warned that he would use his veto power against Democratic legislation.
鈥淭hey’ll send over things that are insane. And I’ll veto them,鈥� Trump told Fox 91传媒.
He also suggested that vetoes could bring Democrats to the negotiating table, adding, 鈥淎nd we’ll work together.鈥�
Trump acknowledged that the ongoing war with Iran contributed to Republican losses, although he defended his decision to launch the conflict.
Senate Republican leader John Thune warned that Republicans would resist efforts by the Democratic Party’s socialist wing to reverse Republican policies.
鈥淪enate Republicans will not stand idly by as the far-left, socialist wing of the Democrat Party attempts to unwind everything we’ve done,鈥� Thune said in a post on X.
Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer described the results as a 鈥済enerational remake of the Senate map.鈥�
Democrats will assume control of Congress in January, leaving Trump to govern the remaining two years of his presidency with opposition-party majorities in both chambers.
