Democrats’ midterm gains put control of Congress in play

Democrats made major gains in the 2026 midterm elections, putting control of both chambers of Congress in play, but the Senate majority remained dependent on outstanding races and final counts. The Associated Press projected Democratic victories in Texas, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina. Those wins, alongside Democratic victories in Georgia and New Hampshire, put the party within reach of the four-seat net gain needed for a Senate majority. Counting continued in Michigan and Minnesota, where the outcomes could affect which party controls the chamber. In Texas, James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton. In Ohio, former senator Sherrod Brown defeated Republican incumbent Jon Husted, and in North Carolina, former governor Roy Cooper won an open seat. Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham in South Carolina. Graham had been appointed to the seat after her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, died. Democrats also held Georgia, where Senator Jon Ossoff won reelection, and won New Hampshire, where Representative Chris Pappas defeated former senator John Sununu. The projected victories in the four closely watched states were reported as putting the Senate majority...