Democrats win House, Senate in midterms landslide: Live updates

Some races remain too close to call, but voters have decisively handed control of Congress to Democrats, flipping dozens of seats from red to blue in a stunning rebuke to President Donald Trump amid widespread anger over the cost of living and the war in Iran.

Democrats flipped at least seven seats in the Senate to gain a 54-seat majority in traditionally Republican states such as Texas, Kansas and South Carolina.

Adam Hamilton broke the longest Democratic drought in the country by becoming the first Democrat to win Kansas since 1932. James Talarico became the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988. Chris Pappas in New Hampshire became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. In Michigan, Democrat Abdul El-Sayed beat his GOP opponent , becoming the nation's first Muslim U.S. senator.

Democrats celebrate blue tsunami. See the historic moment

Two Senate races − in Alaska and Mississippi − remain undecided. The Justice Department has appealed a lawsuit to investigate the Alaska results if the incumbent GOP Sen. Daniel S. Sullivan, loses by a small enough margin that a challenger with the same name made the difference.

Democrats flipped dozens of seats in the House of Representatives from California to New Jersey, including three seats in Iowa. Races in some western states remained too close to call early Wednesday.

Voters also elected governors in dozens of states. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa became the first Hispanic woman governor. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman governor. In Florida, Byron Donalds became the first Black Republican governor. And Democrat Xavier Becerra will become California's first Hispanic governor.

Talarico, Hinojosa celebrate victory at Texas staple Whataburger

11:04 AM ET, November 4 2026, Taylor Ardrey

Elected Texas officials James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa celebrated their victories at a state fast-food staple. Surrounded by cheering supporters at an Austin Whataburger on Tuesday, the 2026 midterm election winners were spotted smiling and clinking their soda cups.

"First stop post-win: Whataburger," Talarico , who defeated Republican Ken Paxton for U.S. Senate, wrote in an Instagram caption.

"We did it (Talarico)," and "For Texas," added Hinojosa , who beat incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott .

Vice President JD Vance: 'The reason we lost is the war'

10:59 AM ET, November 4 2026, Miles J. Herszenhorn

Vice President JD Vance blamed election night's stunning Republican wipeout on the war against Iran, which upended the global economy and drove up fuel prices across the country.

"The reason we lost is the war," Vance wrote in a post on X . "The president himself said so last night."

The war in the Middle East, which started eight months ago when the U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack against Iran, was deeply unpopular among American voters. Republican candidates paid a steep prices at the polls, losing Senate races in deep-red states such as South Carolina, Texas, and Kansas.

"If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay. Agree or disagree, that's at least honest," Vance said.

"But everyone knows why we lost," he added. "And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there."

Mike Johnson won't seek House leadership role

10:52 AM ET, November 4 2026, Zachary Schermele and Francesca Chambers

House Speaker Mike Johnson told staff on Wednesday morning that he would not run for minority leader after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections, two sources familiar with the announcement said.

Johnson handily won reelection to his Louisiana congressional district. But members of his party lost across the country on an election night that will put Democrats in the majority in the House and Senate in the next legislative session.

Tejano star Bobby Pulido flips Republican congressional seat in key Texas race

10:27 AM ET, November 4 2026, Melissa Montoya

The Texas musician who campaigned at concerts and quinceañeras as a "conservative Democrat" just flipped a key congressional seat in Texas.

Bobby Pulido , the Tejano star from South Texas, unseated U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz on Tuesday in the state's 15th Congressional District, a former Democratic stronghold the party lost due to a shift to the right by Latino voters in 2022.

Pulido, 53, won the Rio Grande Valley district, east of San Antonio, by a sizable margin after campaigning on affordability, health care, getting corporate money out of elections and the negative impacts of Trump's mass deportation raids, while distancing himself from the national Democratic Party on other border policy and culture war issues. "I'm not team red. I'm not team blue. I'm team you," he often told voters.

"Thank you South Texas, tonight we made history," the congressman-elect said in a written statement late Tuesday. "For over 30 years, you played my music at your weddings, your quinceañeras, and your carne asadas, and the past year you welcomed me into those same celebrations on the campaign trail. Tonight, you trusted me with something even bigger than a song, you trusted me with your future and I will work hard everyday to honor it."

Dow soars more than 1,100 points as Dems flip Congress

10:07 AM ET, November 4 2026, Kim Hjelmgaard

The Dow and other U.S. benchmark stock indexes soared higher as investors reflected on a power shift in Washington that saw Democrats regain control of both chambers of Congress.

The Dow jumped more than a 1,100 points in early trading, according to Bloomberg market data. That's a rise of more than 2%. There were also strong gains for the S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq indexes.

Economists at RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets said in an investor note on Nov. 4 that as general rule of thumb asset prices tend to favor administrations with "right of center" policies.

However, they noted that the positive moves may have been triggered by conciliatory comments from President Donald Trump willing to work with Democrats in Congress.

Mike Johnson: 'A new battle is just beginning'

09:38 AM ET, November 4 2026, Christopher Cann

House Speaker Mike Johnson in a statement overnight acknowledged a seismic defeat for the GOP, writing "while the outcome of this midterm is not what we'd hoped and fought for, a new battle is just beginning."

"Republicans will never stop fighting to defend the Constitution and protect the foundations that have made America the greatest nation in the history of the world," he wrote on X .

"We will continue pressing forward with our agenda of common sense, and our vision to make America great again—and come 2028, we WILL take back the House and we will finish the job," he added.

With Democrats in control, will life get more affordable?

09:17 AM ET, November 4 2026, Rachel Barber

Exit polls revealed Americans' frustration over high prices helped deliver key victories for Democratic candidates, many of whom pledged to lower the cost of living on the campaign trail.

But experts say voters should mellow their expectations. Even if Democrats control Congress, they'll have to get legislation signed by President Donald Trump, or "Mr. Veto" as he nicknamed himself in an interview with the New York Post.

Several factors are contributing to the United States' stubborn inflation, including the Iran war, tariffs, and the AI buildout.

"The extent to which the new Congress will be able to substantially revert any of those causes seems to be quite low," Francesco D'Acunto, an associate professor of finance at Georgetown University, said.

However, he said that after a massive blue wave, Trump and Republicans may be more likely to work with Democrats on proposals to make housing more affordable and lower healthcare costs — things that would benefit constituents of lawmakers from both parties. He added that Democratic wins on the state level may also slow the AI buildout, which is pushing up prices in select categories.

"Voters would expect, given this big sort of change in Congress, everything will suddenly and immediately change," D'Acunto said. "Voters have to be patient to see that the effects on inflation and prices might be slower than they might expect."

Midterms mark historic firsts across race, gender, religion and sexual orientation

09:13 AM ET, November 4 2026, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

Along with historic breakthroughs for Black candidates, the 2026 midterms also saw several other firsts, smashing political glass ceilings around gender, religion, race and sexual orientation.

Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim to be elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Mike Rogers. He was called a "jihadist" by President Donald Trump during the campaign.

Democrat Xavier Becerra made history after being elected as California's first Hispanic governor. A son of Mexican immigrants, he will govern a state where Hispanics make up more than 40% of the population .

Texas Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa became the first Hispanic governor to be elected in the Lone Star state, and the first Democratic governor in more than three decades.

Democrat Deb Haaland of New Mexico made history after being elected the first Native American woman to serve as a governor of any state. She previously made history as the first Native American woman in Congress and the first Native American woman in the Biden administration cabinet.

Florida Democrat Pia Dandiya notched a historic first after becoming the first Indian American to be elected to Congress in the Sunshine state.

In Minnesota, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, won the race to become the first Native American woman in the Senate.

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man to serve in the U.S. Senate after defeating former Republican Sen. John E. Sununu for New Hampshire's open Senate seat. He will become one of two openly LGBTQ+ members in the Senate, joining Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, who is a lesbian.

Michigan elected Jeremy Moss to the U.S. House of Representatives, winning the race to become the state's first openly gay member of Congress.

Democrat Amy Acton become Ohio's first female governor after defeating Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who ran a controversial campaign ad featuring Acton's estranged birth mother criticizing Acton.

09:01 AM ET, November 4 2026, Melina Khan

Former President Barack Obama said Americans sent a "clear message" in midterm elections with Democrats' commanding landslide.

"Tonight, the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face," he said in a social media statement .

He urged leaders to continue riding the blue wave into the next two years.

"While this administration has another two years in office, our job now is to roll up our sleeves, make changes wherever we have the power to do so, prevent further damage, and lay the groundwork for the future," he said.

Obama returned to the campaign trail in recent weeks, backing candidates including Abdul El-Sayed , Amy Acton and Keisha Lance Bottoms . He made headlines for likening the White House decor to that of a Cheesecake Factory and even throwing out a rare mention of his tan suit controversy.

Jimmy Kimmel mocks Trump after midterm elections: 'Red wedding'

08:58 AM ET, November 4 2026, Brendan Morrow

Jimmy Kimmel celebrated the results of the midterm elections on his Tuesday show. "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" was taped while midterm election results were still coming in, but late enough for it to be clear that what the late-night comedian dubbed a "blue tsunami" was occurring.

"Democrats have officially taken the House thanks to President Trump," Kimmel said. "Blob Vila flipped another house. The blue wave made landfall, and now, the red wedding begins. The bad news is, I guess we're not getting that $5,000 ."

In his monologue, Kimmel argued things didn't go Trump's way in the midterms because the president's priorities "are insane" and "have no relation to what Americans are worried about." To make that point, on one side of the screen behind him, he showed a list of issues Americans are concerned about, including inflation, war, health care and housing. On the other side, Kimmel put up a list of issues that "MAGA seems to be worried about," including "transgender" and "Black Helen of Troy," the latter referring to Lupita Nyong'o's casting in "The Odyssey ."

Chris Christie condemns Vivek Ramaswamy and JD Vance after Ohio loss

08:46 AM ET, November 4 2026, Erin Mansfield

In a viral moment on ABC News, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie condemned Republican Vivek Ramaswamy, who lost the race for governor of Ohio on Tuesday, and Vice President JD Vance, who campaigned for Ramaswamy even as other Republicans distanced themselves.

Christie's criticism centered on Ramaswamy's campaign ad that featured Democratic opponent Amy Acton's estranged mother, who was reportedly living in a car at the time the video was shot. The two women had been estranged for nearly 50 years following the mother's husband being charged with sexually abusing Acton as a child.

"Vivek Ramaswamy will be forgotten," Christie said. "He is going to be sent to the dustbin of history. But JD Vance is going to be remembered, I think, from this campaign, for more than anything else ... that he stood by that ad. A man who wrote a book on Catholicism stood behind that ad. It's a disgrace."

Historic wins for Black candidates in midterms

07:52 AM ET, November 4 2026, Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) will become the first Black Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives after a sweeping Democratic win. As speaker, Jeffries would be second in the presidential line of succession, after the vice president.

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms , the former mayor of Atlanta, became the first Black female governor in the country's history.

Byron Donalds, the Republican congressman from Florida, will become the first Black governor from the state.

Democrat David Crowley won Wisconsin's governor race, becoming the first Black person to hold the office.

With Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton winning her race for the U.S. Senate in the state, three Black women will serve simultaneously in the U.S. Senate for the first time in history. Stratton will join Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland. All three are Democrats.

How sports figures fared in the elections

07:51 AM ET, November 4 2026, Elizabeth Flores

The 2026 midterm elections saw several former sports figures step into the political arena, with some achieving notable victories while others fell short of their goals.

Former NFL player Colin Allred, a Democrat who played four seasons with the Tennessee Titans before a neck injury in 2010 ended his football career, went on to earn a law degree and enter public service. In Texas, Allred secured a resounding victory, winning re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives by defeating Republican Patrick Gillespie.

Joining Allred in the House is former MLB player Mark Teixeira, a Republican, who will succeed Rep. Chip Roy after narrowly defeating Democrat Kristin Hook in a closely contested race. Teixeira had a 14-year MLB career, playing for the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees, and winning a World Series with the Yankees in 2009. Read more .

Rep. Lauren Boebert trails in uncalled race

07:46 AM ET, November 4 2026, Erin Mansfield

Republican firebrand Lauren Boebert is trailing in the vote count in her attempt at a fourth term in Congress, even though election analysts and news organizations have not called the final outcome of the race.

Democrat Eileen Laubacher has 49.2% of the votes in Colorado's 4th Congressional District, and Boebert has 47.7%, with 83% of the votes counted, according to the Associated Press.

Mississippi Senate race still too close to call

07:17 AM ET, November 4 2026, Erin Mansfield

Major news outlets and election analysts have yet to call the race for U.S. Senate in Mississippi, where Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith is trying to fend off Democratic challenger Scott Colom.

Results at 3:48 a.m. showed Colom ahead of Hyde-Smith by 43 votes with 96% of votes counted, according to the Associated Press. Several counties in northeast Mississippi show only 90% of votes have been counted.