WASHINGTON : Democrats have taken control of the US Senate and secured a majority in the House of Representatives, according to the latest live election results, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party.
The latest tally reported by Associated Press election calls, showed Democrats at 53 Senate seats to Republicans’ 41, with 29 of 35 Senate contests called. In the House, Democrats had reached 219 seats, one more than the 218 needed for a majority, with 345 of 435 races called. Democrats made gains in several states that have traditionally favored Republicans, including Texas, Kansas and South Carolina, and flipped seats in North Carolina and Ohio. The party also won several gubernatorial contests. Voters’ concerns about living costs and dissatisfaction with the administration were among the factors reported in the election coverage.
Trump responded to the results with a post on Truth Social, saying: “I wasn’t on the Ballot and if I was, we would have won IN A LANDSLIDE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
The midterm elections do not decide the presidency, but they determine the composition of Congress. Democratic control of both chambers would give the party greater influence over legislation, congressional oversight and the administration’s agenda during the remainder of Trump’s term.
Democrats Flip Key Senate Seats
Democrats’ Senate gains included several races that had been central to the battle for control of the chamber.
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton, flipping a seat that had long been held by Republicans. In Kansas, Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall, becoming the first Democrat elected to represent Kansas in the Senate since 1932.
Democrats also won South Carolina, where Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham. Graham had been appointed to complete the term of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, after his death in July and had received Trump’s endorsement. Andrews’ victory was one of the night’s most striking results in a traditionally Republican state. In North Carolina, former Democratic governor Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley in the open Senate race, flipping the seat held by retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis. Democrats also won Ohio, where former Senator Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Senator Jon Husted.
Democrats held several seats as well. In Georgia, incumbent Senator Jon Ossoff defeated Republican Representative Mike Collins. In New Hampshire, Democratic Representative Chris Pappas defeated former Republican Senator John Sununu, retaining the seat for Democrats.
The Senate results marked a sharp reversal from the pre-election balance, when Republicans held 53 seats and Democrats held 45, alongside two independents who caucused with Democrats. With control shifting to Democrats, the party will gain influence over Senate leadership, committee assignments and the chamber’s legislative priorities. Some Senate races were still outstanding in the latest reporting, including Alaska. Therefore, the current party tally should be understood as a live result rather than a final certified count.
Democrats Secure House Majority as Republican Seats Fall
The House of Representatives was the other major battleground. All 435 voting seats were contested, and a party needed at least 218 to hold a majority.
Democrats had reached 219 seats in the latest live tally, crossing the threshold for control of the chamber. The result followed gains in competitive districts and several Republican-held seats. The live results page showed 345 of the 435 races called at the time of its update, meaning many contests were still awaiting calls. The House result is consequential because the majority party controls the chamber’s agenda and committee leadership. A Democratic majority would allow the party to shape which bills receive consideration, conduct investigations and intensify oversight of the Trump administration.
Democrats had entered the election needing to gain seats from the narrow Republican majority. The party’s performance in districts across the country, including in states that had supported Trump in the 2024 presidential election, helped it move past the majority threshold.
Gubernatorial Gains and Political Consequences for Trump
Democrats also made gains in governor races held across the country. The latest Associated Press summary reported Democratic victories in states including Texas, Iowa and Georgia, while live results showed the party gaining governorships overall.
In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Governor Greg Abbott, a major upset in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governorship. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, while Democrat Rob Sand won in Iowa.
Republicans also retained important state-level victories. In Florida, Republican Byron Donalds won the governor’s race, defeating Democrat David Jolly. The results therefore reflected a broad shift toward Democrats, but not a uniform victory across every state. The elections were shaped in part by voters’ concerns about the cost of living and dissatisfaction with the administration. The Associated Press reported that voters cited high costs and frustration with the administration, while some Republican officials blamed Trump’s policies and campaign influence for the party’s losses.
Trump’s Truth Social statement did not concede defeat or discuss individual races. Instead, he argued that Republicans would have performed better had he been on the ballot. His claim was a personal assessment, the post did not provide evidence that his candidacy would have changed the election outcomes.
The results could have a significant impact on the remainder of Trump’s second term. With Democrats controlling both chambers, the administration will face a more challenging Congress, with greater potential for investigations, oversight and opposition to its legislative priorities.
The broad outcome is clear in the latest live reporting, Democrats have taken the Senate and reached the House majority threshold, while counting and certification continue in individual races. The shift gives Democrats a stronger position in Washington and marks a major electoral setback for Trump and the Republican Party.
