The Democratic Party has taken control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives in the United States midterm elections, delivering what analysts are describing as a historic rebuke of President Donald Trump.
Democrats have won 53 seats in the 100-seat Senate and are leading in three additional races. The party also crossed the 218-seat threshold required for a majority in the 435-member House of Representatives. Several races remain too close to call, and final results could take days to confirm.
Many analysts had predicted a "blue wave" heading into election night. France 24's international affairs editor Kethevane Gorjestani said the outcome is now "heading into tsunami territory."
Trump has himself conceded that his opponents outperformed his party's campaign. Several Democrats have already framed the results as a defeat for the president.
The Democratic victories include a number of seats in states that have not elected Democrats in decades.
James Talarico became the first Democrat to win a statewide race in Texas in 32 years, defeating Ken Paxton — the state's attorney general, who had previously been indicted for fraud and was once impeached by the state legislature — by more than 11 percentage points. Trump had won Texas by 14 points in 2024 and had endorsed Paxton.
In Kansas, Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Roger Marshall, also endorsed by Trump. It was the first time Democrats had won a Senate seat in Kansas since 1932.
Josh Turek won a competitive Senate seat in Iowa by 4 percentage points, in a state Trump had carried by 14 points.
In South Carolina, Annie Andrews won by at least 4 percentage points, flipping a seat previously held by longtime senator Lindsey Graham, who died earlier this year. Graham's sister Darlene had been appointed to fill the seat until the election and was strongly backed by Trump.
Roy Cooper won in North Carolina by nearly 20 percentage points over Republican Mike Whatley, turning a previously Republican seat.
Troy Jackson flipped a Senate seat in Maine, defeating Susan Collins by almost 7 percentage points.
Sherrod Brown won in Ohio against Republican Jon Husted by nearly 4 percentage points.
In Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed is leading and has claimed victory against Republican Mike Rogers in what was described as one of the most closely watched races of the midterms. If confirmed, El-Sayed would become the first Muslim senator in United States history.
With control of both chambers, Democrats now hold significant legislative and oversight powers. The House and Senate together pass laws and approve government spending, though each chamber also holds distinct powers.
The Senate can block the president from appointing allies to top government posts, including ambassadors, cabinet members, and federal judges. Senate committees controlled by the majority party can also launch investigations, demand documents, and summon witnesses.
Democrats had campaigned on promises to end the war on Iran, reduce the cost of living, and hold the Trump administration accountable for alleged abuses of power. Analysts note, however, that delivering on those promises will not be straightforward.
