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Democrats seize Congress in Trump's second term

Democrats win Senate and House in midterms, flipping Trump strongholds and electing historic firsts including the first Muslim senator.

Nov 4, 2026

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Democrats seize Congress in Trump's second term

Democrats win Senate and House in midterms, flipping Trump strongholds and electing historic firsts including the first Muslim senator.

In brief

Democrats win Senate and House in midterms, flipping Trump strongholds and electing historic firsts including the first Muslim senator. Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterms, gaining seats in Republican strongholds and electing several historic firsts. Originally reported by BBC News.

Democrats win Congress

Democrats win Congress

Democrats have won both the US Senate and House of Representatives, taking control of Congress for the rest of Donald Trump's presidency.

Texas flips blue

Texas flips blue

James Talarico won a US Senate seat and Gina Hinojosa was elected state governor in Texas, ending Democratic defeats lasting almost two generations.

Hinojosa makes history

Gina Hinojosa became the first Latina to be elected governor of Texas.

Kansas elects first Democratic senator in a century

Adam Hamilton took a closely-fought Senate seat in Kansas, giving the state its first Democratic senator for nearly a century.

Jeffries poised to become Speaker

Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, is now poised to become Speaker, the first black person to fill that role.

“Today begins the great American comeback.”

Trump concedes and cites Iran, fuel prices

Trump conceded that Democrats did a good job and said he would accept the results. He acknowledged the US-Israel war on Iran and high fuel prices affected the vote.

“The gasoline was caused by Iran.”

El-Sayed becomes first Muslim senator

El-Sayed becomes first Muslim senator

Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim person elected to the US Senate after winning in Michigan. He defeated Republican Mike Rogers despite a bitter campaign.

“But today, tonight, we can turn that inshallah into alhamdulillah.”

Collins loses after 30 years

Collins loses after 30 years

Susan Collins, the Republican senator for Maine for three decades, was defeated by Democratic candidate Troy Jackson, a logger.

“It had been the honour of my life to serve the state for 30 years.”

Distance from Trump did not save Republicans

Collins and Ashley Hinson, who both distanced themselves from Trump, lost their Senate races. Hinson lost in Iowa to Josh Turek despite breaking with Trump on Iran and tariffs.

Donalds wins Florida governor's race

Donalds wins Florida governor's race

Republican Byron Donalds became Florida's first black governor following an endorsement from Trump. He will take over from Ron DeSantis.

Bottoms wins Georgia governor's race

Bottoms wins Georgia governor's race

Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the former mayor of Atlanta, won Georgia's governor's race, becoming the first black governor and first woman elected to the state's highest office.

Historic firsts in Senate and Congress

Historic firsts in Senate and Congress

Democrat Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate in New Hampshire. In Colorado, Melat Kiros became the first woman elected to Congress from Gen Z.

The big picture

Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the midterms, gaining seats in Republican strongholds and electing several historic firsts.

Read the original on BBC News

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