US election results 2026: Updated at 20:42 CET

20:42 CET Alaska and Mississippi Too Close to Call

In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith by fewer than 50 votes, BBC reported. Mary Peltola is ahead of Republican Senator Dan Sullivan by just 626 votes in Alaska, where the final result could take another two weeks. Both races could be affected by outstanding postal ballots, although the states have different counting procedures.

With approximately 74% of the estimated vote counted, neither candidate had secured the majority required to win outright under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system.

The system allows voters to rank candidates by preference. If nobody receives more than 50% of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. Their ballots are then transferred to the remaining candidates according to voters' next preferences. Further rounds are held if necessary.

Alaska's Division of Elections has scheduled ranked-choice tabulation for 18 November. The state accepts domestic postal ballots until 13 November and ballots sent from overseas until 18 November, provided they were postmarked by Election Day.

"The results are not going to be fast, but Alaskans are patient," Peltola told supporters on election night.

The election has also been affected by a legal dispute involving independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher whose name closely resembles that of the Republican incumbent.

The Trump administration alleged that the independent candidate had entered the race to confuse voters and divert support from the senator. Peltola denied involvement in recruiting him, while the independent candidate denied intending to mislead voters.

On 1 November, a federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit seeking to prevent certification of a possible Peltola victory. The judge ruled that the federal government lacked legal standing to bring the case. She also questioned whether the proposed investigation of ballots could protect voter secrecy. The Justice Department appealed the ruling.

Peltola, a former congresswoman, would become the first Alaska Native to serve in the US Senate if elected.

In Mississippi, approximately 96% of the estimated vote had been counted by Wednesday morning. Thousands of absentee and affidavit ballots remained to be processed.

Outstanding votes included ballots from Hinds County, a Democratic stronghold, and coastal counties where Hyde-Smith had performed more strongly. Postal ballots must have been postmarked by 3 November and received by 10 November to be counted.

Mississippi has no automatic recount procedure. A candidate seeking a recount must obtain a court order.

Colom, a district attorney in northern Mississippi, campaigned on the cost of living and criticised Trump's economic policies and the war in Iran.

Hyde-Smith, who entered the Senate in 2018, received Trump's endorsement. The president appeared alongside her at a campaign rally in Corinth, Mississippi, on 26 October.

Mississippi last elected a Democratic senator in 1982. If Colom wins, he would become the state's first Black US senator in Mississippi since 1875.

Black residents account for nearly 40% of the state's population.

Colom said on Wednesday that his campaign had deployed lawyers across the state to monitor the remaining count. Hyde-Smith's campaign also said it was monitoring the process and remained confident of victory.

The two outstanding races will determine the final composition of the chamber when the new Congress convenes in January.

19:53 CET Republicans Turn On Each Other After Disastrous Midterms

Democrats won majorities in the House and Senate, flipping seats even in traditionally red states and districts.

Republicans suffered their biggest losses in half a century. With control of Congress, Democrats are expected to launch a wave of investigations next year into the president and his administration.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) will not try to stay on as the GOP leader next year, The Washington Post wrote.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La ) and Rep. Jim Jordan ( R-Ohio), have already jumped in run in Johnson’s place.

A day after Democrats won the House majority, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., told his staff Wednesday morning he will not stay on as Republican leader in the new Congress, according to four sources on the phone call, NBC NEWS reported.

Johnson’s departure will leave open the position of House minority leader.

Republicans are scheduled to hold an internal election to select their candidate for the position November 10.

Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who is the No. 2 GOP leader, a close Johnson ally and a fellow Louisiana Republican, is planning to announce his bid for minority leader Wednesday, his office said.

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, a conservative leader in the House and staunch defender of President Donald Trump, also is running for GOP leader, he told colleagues in a letter Wednesday.

A former Oversight Committee chairman as well, Jordan made the case that he is “battle-tested on the oversight front and prepared to combat Democrats’ myriad investigations of Trump.”

And in a surprise, Rep. August Pfluger ( R-Texas ), the chairman of the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus of conservatives on Capitol Hill, said he would challenge Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., for the GOP whip spot, the No. 2 leadership job in the minority.

Johnson has served two terms as speaker, having risen from obscurity to the top job after Republicans ousted then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in October 2023.

The Louisiana Republican, who won re-election to his House seat Tuesday night, is expected to remain in the House next year, though it’s unclear if he will serve out his full two-year term or leave early as other former speakers have done.

President Donald Trump sought to distance himself from his party’s poor performance and told media outlets he would try to work with Democrats.

US President noted that he accepted the results of the election, telling The New York Times that he was "absolutely willing to accept" the results.

Trump has taken aim at Republicans and conceded that the Democrats have done "a good job" in the US midterm elections. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump derided Greg Abbott, who lost the Texas governor race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, saying Abbott wouldn't have lost if he "hadn't become a RINO in the last six months", using the acronym for "Republican in Name Only",BBC reports.

Trump added that the Democrats would send "insane" legislation to his desk that he would veto.

US Vice President JD Vance blames Iran war for GOP’s midterm losses.

“To the people who are pissed off and want to say, ‘I told you so’: you’re right, you did tell us so,” he wrote.

Vice President JD Vance blamed Republicans’ sweeping midterm losses on the war with Iran on Wednesday, arguing that voters who backed President Donald Trump in 2024 turned against the Republican Party over the conflict.

“The reason we lost is the war. The president himself said so last night,” Vance wrote in a lengthy social media post. Vance also suggested that Republicans who supported the war should concede the political costs rather than look for alternative explanations for the Tuesday results.

19:01 CET Canada Says Midterms Won't Change Trade Stance, Sees Talks With US Officials

Dominic LeBlanc, the ​minister in charge of US trade ties said on Wednesday ‌the US midterm results would not change Ottawa's stance towards trade talks with the US, adding he ​would speak soon to his American ​counterparts, Reuters wrote.

"To a certain extent last night's results are interesting, but ‌they ⁠will not have any significant impact in terms of our government's focus and work," LeBlanc note. He told reporters that he planned to speak ​to US ​Commerce Secretary ⁠Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer over the next few ​days.

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the ​United ⁠States was close to making a trade deal with Canada.

"Canada ​is very good, we're going to make a ​deal with Canada very soon. We're going to ⁠make a great deal," Trump said in an ​interview with Fox News.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said ⁠work ​remained to be done ​and that Washington had dropped some demands.

Canada and the United States have ​slapped billions of dollars in tariffs on each other in recent months. The imposition of tariffs on Canada has emerged as ​an issue in some northern US border states like ​Michigan and Maine ahead of Tuesday's US midterm elections.\ Trump and Carney said on Sunday ‌they ⁠had spoken about a trade deal.

Carney said the US had withdrawn some earlier demands, including one that would have given Washington final say over any trade ​deals that Canada ​might seek ⁠to sign with other nations.

"We've made progress, but we haven't finished. You know, if ​I were to paraphrase it, it's they're ​asking ⁠less and they're offering more, but we're not quite there," he told a televised news conference at the ⁠end ​of a summit in Antigua.

17:48 CET Europe Welcomes Democrats’ US Election Victory

European leaders have welcomed the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the US midterm elections, with reactions ranging from cautious optimism about transatlantic relations to open mockery of Donald Trump. Yet officials across the continent warn that a Democratic-controlled Congress may not make the American president any more predictable.

For Europe's political mainstream, the outcome offers an opportunity to rebuild relations with Washington. For the continent's far-right parties, many of which have cultivated close ties with Trump, it raises uncomfortable questions ahead of their own elections.

Sophie Wilmès, vice-president of the European Parliament and former Belgian prime minister, described the result as a "major shift in the balance of power in the U.S. Congress".

"I hope it will lead to a calmer, more constructive relationship with Europe," she said.

Her Renew Europe group welcomed the Democratic victory but stressed that the EU must continue strengthening its defence capabilities and economic independence.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called the result "historic" at the Berlin Security Conference. He said Germany would establish close contact with Democratic lawmakers while continuing to cooperate with the Trump administration.

"But we do not know what the president will do after the election in the near future," Pistorius cautioned.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre described the outcome as "a powerful political signal" from American voters. He told Reuters that politicians whose positions were closer to Norway's were gaining influence in Washington, particularly on climate policy, foreign affairs and development assistance.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez offered one of the strongest reactions.

"American society voted against policies that only impoverish," Sánchez declared, adding that voters had also rejected hatred, sexism, climate change denial and privileges for the wealthy.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski chose sarcasm. He reposted an earlier message addressed to Elon Musk, the billionaire Trump ally who had supported Republican campaigns.

"See, big man, politics is harder than you thought," Sikorski wrote.

In France, Green party leader Marine Tondelier called the American result a warning ahead of the French presidential election in April 2027.

She accused Trump of turning the United States into "the laughingstock of the world" and urged French voters against electing the far-right National Rally.

Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta was equally enthusiastic, declaring that "Europe is much stronger" following the Democratic victory.

Europe's far right faces uncomfortable questions

National Rally president Jordan Bardella rejected suggestions that the Republican defeat signalled a wider decline of nationalist movements.

He attributed Trump's difficulties largely to the economic consequences of the war with Iran.

"It's the case that the U.S. intervention in Iran has had a very strong impact on the U.S. economy, but also on the European economy," Bardella said.

He insisted that electoral defeats for nationalist politicians in Brazil, Hungary and the United States did not necessarily threaten his party's prospects in France.

Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) co-leader Alice Weidel offered a similar explanation. She argued that Trump had broken his promise to avoid foreign military intervention and that Republicans were paying the political price.

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham adopted a more measured tone.

Speaking at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua, Burnham said the American election offered an opportunity for international cooperation on the economic pressures affecting households.

"President Trump has accepted the results, and I feel the world has an opportunity now to unite around the issue that is affecting us all, and that's the cost of living," he said.

Burnham linked those pressures to the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, arguing that governments needed to work together to address their consequences.

He also confirmed that Britain would pursue de-escalation in the Iran war and seek the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route for global energy supplies.

Unlike some European politicians, Burnham declined to interpret the Democratic victory as evidence of a worldwide retreat by right-wing populism. He said voters wanted governments to concentrate on practical economic problems.

Will Trump's defeat change US policy towards Europe?

Despite the celebrations, European officials acknowledged that a Democratic majority in Congress would not automatically transform relations with Washington.

French Economy Minister Roland Lescure said Trump would be weakened domestically but would retain considerable authority over international affairs.

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker also downplayed expectations of an immediate change.

"The foreign policy of the United States has not changed," he said, stressing that the alliance continued to face the same challenges.

European concerns include Washington's commitment to NATO, trade tariffs, relations with Russia and American support for Ukraine.

Swedish MEP Karin Karlsbro described the Democratic victory as "a much-needed sign of hope for Ukraine", while insisting that Europe must continue building its own capacity to defend its interests.

A Democratic Congress could increase scrutiny of Trump's administration and challenge parts of his domestic programme. However, the president retains substantial executive powers over diplomacy, defence and trade.

European financial markets responded cautiously, with shares in Paris, London and Frankfurt opening slightly higher on Wednesday.

Trump himself showed little willingness to moderate his criticism of European allies. During an election-night interview with Fox News, he declared:

"You look at Europe, it's dying."

16:51 CET The Historic Firsts Of The 2026 Election

Voters In 17 states have elected female Governors, setting a record in Tuesday’s election.

With some governor’s races still unresolved, at least 10 Democratic women were projected to win their contests, and three Republican women — Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Tennessee Gov.-elect Mrsha Blackburn — were projected to do the same.

Democratic women made historic gains in battleground states for their party, with former public health official Amy Acton in Ohio and state Rep. Gina Hinojosa in Texas emerging victorious in races that were not initially expected to be competitive.

In Georgia Kejsha Lance Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor and adviser to former President Joe Biden, will become the first Black female governor in US history.

The previous record for female governors serving at once was 14.

\## 16:28 CET Voters Reject Data Centers Across The Country as The AI Backlash Grows

Voters in at least 29 jurisdictions across the country passed bans or restrictions on data centers Tuesday. Data center construction also suffered setbacks in several states that are hot spots for the projects, as Democratic candidates promising to curb the rapid proliferation of the compute warehouses won governors’ races.

Many local ballot measures limiting data centers passed with overwhelming support, The Wahington Post report. In Joliet Township, Illinois, nearly 80 percent of voters moved to restrict data centers. So did more than three-quarters of voters in Hubbard, Ohio, near where President Donald Trump touted his administration’s embrace of America’s rapid AI build-out in a rally last month.

In Janesville, Wisconsin, more than 60 percent of voters weighed in to say local officials must seek voter approval on future changes to an abandoned General Motors site after pushback earlier this year over a proposed data center.

In Texas, where industry estimates show a quarter of the tech industry’s new data centers are planned to be built, Democrat Gina Hinojosa’s victory over incumbent Gov. Greg Abbott rattled the industry and its investors. She champions a moratorium on new projects along with regulations that would impose aggressive protections for the environment and electricity ratepayers from the effects of data centers’ immense energy consumption.

Some investment analysts had warned before the election that her victory would create serious headwinds for the industry, potentially putting billions of dollars in data center projects in peril.

“Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk wrote in a post on X early Wednesday. He spent more than $400 million backing conservative candidates running on Tuesday.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll last month found that 7 in 10 Americans, including a majority of Republicans, oppose new data center construction in their communities. Critics of the facilities complain about their noise, water use, impact on household electric bills and lack of public input, and say that data centers feed into Americans’ existing economic and political anxieties.

A voter poll conducted on behalf of major TV networks said early on Wednesday that 56 percent of midterms voters considered AI and data centers to be a major or crucial factor in their vote. That ranked them as the least influential among five issues, far behind government corruption, the war in Iran and the cost of living.

More than 145 data center projects were delayed or canceled through early August across the United States, according to the research firm S&P Global.

Some industry officials say that a significant portion of the roughly 600 large-scale AI data centers either planned or under construction is unlikely to become operational regardless of public reaction.

15:53 CET Mississippi: Neither Candidate Is Favored

The race for Mississippi’s Senate seat remains extremely close: Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R) and Scott Colom (D) are still essentially tied with 97 percent of the vote counted.

Mississippi hasn’t elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1982 and the seat is rated as likely Republican by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. Hyde-Smith, who has served in the Senate since 2018, won by 10 percentage points in the 2020 election.

\## 15:36 CET RepublicansBlame Trump For Severe Losses

Republicans blame Trump for severe losses.

“Honestly, we need to move as far away from Trump as we can,” said Todd Gillman, a Michigan Republican operative and former chair of the Monroe County GOP.

“I think Republicans might be screwed all the way until ‘30.”

GOP operatives who spoke to POLITICO on election night pointed to the president’s decision to lead the country into war with Iran — which they said was made without serious planning — and Trump’s brash, politically incorrect style as key reasons Republicans suffered steep losses.

Matt Dole, the chair of Ohio’s Licking County Republican Party, pointed to the president’s efforts to rename the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Ontario and to seize Greenland. “I think you’re going to see a part of the Republican Party advocate for a return to normalcy, which is not repudiating Trump’s ideology and policies, but will repudiate Trump’s style,” Dole said.

“Trump is really good on Republican core principles, but he plays out of the sandbox a lot.”

GOP consultant Ryan Girdusky said the president’s winning coalition, propelled by young voters who swung toward President Trump, has vanished.

“Donald Trump built a once-in-a-generation, or once-every-typical-decade, governing majority over an 18-month campaign, and he spent another 18 months blowing it to smithereens,” Girdusky said, noting depressed youth turnout for Republicans.

Girdusky said that Republican officeholders may now have the freedom to say what they really think about the president and his policies.

“The fear of the primary is kind of over, and obviously the illusion that he can bring out these voters is over as well,” he said.

“They don’t particularly love the war, the way that it’s presented. They don’t love the tariffs, the way that he did it. … \[The results\] will just allow them to say, ‘Hey, when Trump’s acting insane and we all see it, and we have to pretend that we don’t see it, we can actually say the truth.’”

14:11 Democrat Unseats GOP Governer in Nevada

Nevada’s Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford has won the state’s gubernatorial race, NBC News projects, toppling Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo.

He will be the state’s first Black governor.

Democrats sought to make the race a referendum on Lombardo’s and President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy. Ford and his allies blasted the “Lombardo-Trump economy,” with many of their attacks centered on the president’s 2025 tax cuts and spending bill, which Democrats warned would have devastating effects on poor Nevadans.

They pointed to Trump’s tariffs as a particular sore spot in a state with an economy that relies heavily on tourism.

And they attacked Lombardo over an agreement with the Trump administration this summer that could help ease the pathway for more data centers on public land there.

That economic message hit hard in Nevada — a state where the rising costs of goods, gas, housing and healthcare weighed heavily on voters’ minds.

13:57 CET Elon Musk Was Among The Biggest Losers of Election Night - POLITICO

“Guess my election-interfering space lasers didn’t work this time,” - Musk on X.

Tech billionaire and Republican megadonor Elon Musk was among the biggest losers of election night, after spending hundreds of millions to boost candidates that failed to win their races. He doled out around $446 million — the most a non-candidate has ever spent on an election. Over $200 million on Texas-related efforts. Musk’s preferred candidates across the country were swamped, losing almost everywhere, including Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race and Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio gubernatorial race.

Now Musk’s plans for a buildout of data centers across Texas are especially in doubt after Democrat Gina Hinojosa won a surprise victory over incumbent Greg Abbott in the state’s gubernatorial race.

“Data centers in space looking pretty appealing right now,” Musk wrote on X on Wednesday morning, jumping off the results to boost an idea he’s trying to pursue.

Elon Musk’s adopted home of Texas has been a hot spot for data centers and data center construction over the last couple of years, with Republican Greg Abbott in the state’s gubernatorial racea strong ally of both tech leaders and Wall Street.

“Amid data center backlash all across the country, Texas was supposed to be an AI oasis, where people would be able to build data centers no matter what was happening in the rest of America,” said Sam Koppelman, the publisher of Hunterbrook Media, an investigative journalism outlet connected to a hedge fund.

“This election totally changed that.”

With Democrats taking control of the U.S. Congress, Musk may also be a target for a party. Some Democrats pushing to bring tech CEOs in front of Congress.

“Voters rejected Republicans in part because they were bought and paid for by AI billionaires,” Democratic Representative Greg Casar of Texas said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

“Democrats must hold them accountable instead of cashing their checks.”

13:29 CET Democrats’ Massive Blue wave Could Get Even Bigger, As a Handful of Key Races Remain Uncalled - POLITICO

Senate

Alaska: Votes in the battleground Senate race between GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola are still being counted.

Mississippi: Just 43 votes separate Mississippi Democrat Scott Colom and GOP Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. The state does not allow recounts, even by request of either candidate, so the final tally will be determinative in that state.

House

And a handful of House Republicans are awaiting calls in their races, including the following notable names:

Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the person responsible for getting House Republicans elected. The NRCC chair is locked in a tight battle for against Democrat Richard Ojeda.

Colorado GOP Rep. Lauren Boebert, who’s trying to fend off Democrat Eileen Laubacher.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who’s neck and neck with Democrat Leela Gray.

13:03 CET How International Politicians React to Democrats Winning US Midterms

NORWEGIAN PRIME MINISTER JONAS GAHR STOERE ​ TO REUTERS

"This is a powerful political signal about a change of course among American voters," Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said.

"Voices are now emerging in American politics that are closer to us than the president and the administration have stood for, for example on climate ‌and environment, and in foreign policy and development aid policy."

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ​VICE PRESIDENT CHRISTEL SCHALDEMOSE

"Not because everything now changes for the better, but because it could benefit the support for Ukraine, the green transition, and relations with the rest of the world," wrote she on X.

"But the EU must ⁠continue the course of standing stronger and standing on its own two feet. That's not up for debate."

RUSSIAN DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI RYABKOV, QUOTED BY RUSSIAN STATE NEWS AGENCY RIA\ "Let's wait for the final results. The Democratic Party leadership's approach to relations with Russia is sharply negative. There is nothing new about that."

"Our principled and consistent line regarding Ukraine — as well as our foreign policy in general — is not based on short-term considerations and, naturally, does not depend on the fluctuations of the political barometer in other countries. We will continue our work in accordance with the directives of the President of the Russian Federation."

JAPANESE CHIEF CABINET SECRETARY MINORU KIHARA AT A REGULAR PRESS BRIEFING\ "Regardless of the outcome of this election, ​the Japan-US alliance is the cornerstone of Japan's foreign and security policy.

"As the international situation becomes turbulent and increasingly uncertain, a strong Japan-US alliance is essential for maximising Japan's national interests and for peace and stability in the international community."

FRENCH FINANCE MINISTER ROLAND LESCURE ON FRENCH TV CHANNEL ​BFM

"Frankly, this is something we will need to keep an eye on in the coming days."

CO-LEADER ‌OF GERMAN FAR-RIGHT PARTY ⁠AFD, ALICE WEIDEL ON GERMAN ONLINE NEWS OUTLET T-ONLINE

"Trump had promised his voters not to pursue an interventionist foreign policy... This broken promise has now come back to haunt the Republicans."

CZECH PRIME MINISTER ANDREJ BABIS

"I think the outcome was as expected, although of course the Democrats' victory is huge. Even the Republican stronghold of Texas fell, and in some places Democrats gained positions after decades.

"In my view, this means that until the end of President Trump's term, it will be all about impeachment and vetoes, and a certain kind of paralysis. On the other hand, President Trump will almost certainly continue to do exactly as he pleases.

Let's hope he finally returns to his promise to end the war in Ukraine and resolve the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz."

IRANIAN PARLIAMENT SPEAKER MOHAMMAD BAQER QALIBAF ON X

"Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse ​this message. If the US govt betrays their public will to serve ​international paymasters and blackmailers, it will learn our NO comes ⁠with a Nightmare."

BELGIAN DEFENCE MINISTER THEO FRANCKEN ON X

"Governing in the United States will be almost impossible in the coming years given the level of internal division and polarisation. As a European politician I will mainly look of course to trade policies, support to Ukraine and NATO."

JORDAN BARDELLA, THE PRESIDENT OF FAR-RIGHT OPPOSITION PARTY NATIONAL RALLY IN FRANCE

"I am not American, and I am not a voter ⁠in the United ​States. Consequently, one must respect the verdict of the ballot box — including the results of these midterm elections, which, incidentally, are almost always unfavourable to the incumbent president. What ​is certain is that Donald Trump's second term differs quite significantly, in its philosophy and foreign policy, from his first, during which his political ambition was to withdraw the United States from major global conflicts. As it happens, American intervention regarding Iran carries very heavy consequences, not only for the US economy, in my view, but also for ​the European economy, particularly concerning the purchasing power of our own citizens, given the rise in oil prices. So, yes, there is most certainly a link."

INES SCHWERDTNER, JOINT LEADER OF GERMANY'S LEFT PARTY

"This is a crashing defeat for the global Right."

12:25 CET Democrat, New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries Will Become the First Black Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives When The New Congress Convenes in January

Jeffries plans to lead with an "affordability first" legislative slate—aiming to reinstate expired child tax credits, fund housing assistance, and reverse steep Republican cuts to Medicaid enacted under the Trump administration, The Independent report.

House Democrats intend to intensify congressional investigations into the Trump administration’s ties to corporate donors, though Jeffries has refrained from pursuing a third presidential impeachment in favor of broader governance and oversight.

Known as a consensus-builder, Jeffries must balance party moderates against incoming progressives who are demanding concessions on universal healthcare, public housing, and halting offensive weapons to Israel.

Because President Trump holds veto power and can block Democratic legislation, Jeffries will face the dual challenge of managing base expectations while negotiating must-pass bipartisan bills to raise the debt ceiling and prevent government shutdowns.

11:53 CET Democrat Adrian Fontes will win reelection for Arizona Secretary of State

Democrat Adrian Fontes will win reelection for Arizona Secretary of State. Fontes, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was previously elected as Arizona’s 21st Secretary of State in 2022. Democratic Rep. Susie Lee will win reelection for Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District, CNN’s Decision Desk projects, securing a fifth term in Congress.

US MIDTERM ELECTION. SENATE

US MIDTERM ELECTION. HOUSE

US MIDTERM ELECTION. GOVERNOR

\## 11:37 CET The US President Said that if He Had Been on the Ballot, the Republicans "Would Have Won IN A LANDSLIDE!"

US President also noted that he accepted the results of the election, telling The New York Times that he was "absolutely willing to accept" the results.

Trump has taken aim at Republicans and conceded that the Democrats have done "a good job" in the US midterm elections. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump derided Greg Abbott, who lost the Texas governor race to Democrat Gina Hinojosa, saying Abbott wouldn't have lost if he "hadn't become a RINO in the last six months", using the acronym for "Republican in Name Only",BBC reports.

Trump added that the Democrats would send "insane" legislation to his desk that he would veto.

"After a couple of months of vetoes, they'll call and they'll say, 'how do we get this stuff done?' And we'll work together."

On Truth Social, he posted a photo of a red cap - the kind usually emblazoned with his Make America Great Again slogan - emblazoned with the word "VETO", in an apparent reference to his ability to block legislation in Congress.

Democrats seized control of both the Senate and House on Tuesday, scoring sweeping victories in Republican strongholds for the first time in generation. The results will usher in a new era of divided government in Washington, following two years in which the Republican-controlled Congress rarely exercised its power to rein in Trump.

"There is now a generational remake of the Senate map that is going to change America," said Chuck Schumer, the party's Senate minority leader. "Americans voted for change, and now Democrats must deliver."

11:11 CET Democrat Will Become the US First Muslim Senator

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, a former public health official, will defeat Republican former Republican Mike Rogers in Michigan’s Senate race, CNN’s Decision Desk projects.

He’ll become the US first Muslim senator when he is sworn in in January.

El-Sayed win comes despite struggles to unite Democrats after a bruising August primary that pitted El-Sayed against moderate Rep. Haley Stevens — a contest El-Sayed won by less than a percentage point.

Stevens roiled the race in its final days by announcing Sunday that she was endorsing Rogers and appearing with him at a church in Detroit. The move infuriated Democratic leaders nationally and in Michigan — and it led the party to rally around El-Sayed, who spent months attempting to consolidate the support of Black and Jewish voters who had backed Stevens in the primary.

10:43 CET Texas Turns Democratic as Talarico Wins Senate Race and Georgia Elects First Black Woman Governor

Two of the most striking results of the 2026 US midterm elections came from Texas and Georgia, where Democratic victories ended decades of Republican dominance. James Talarico won a closely watched Senate contest in Texas, while former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms made history as the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.

In Texas, Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, becoming the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the state since 1988. The result was a breakthrough for a party that had failed to win any statewide election in Texas since 1994.

The contest was also one of the most expensive in American electoral history. According to The Texas Tribune, the Senate race attracted unprecedented spending, with both parties investing heavily in a state that Republicans had long considered secure.

Talarico, a state representative and former public school teacher, built his campaign around the rising cost of living, public education, healthcare and the influence of wealthy donors on American politics. His message appealed to voters frustrated with economic pressures and political divisions.

Early returns showed particularly strong Democratic support in major metropolitan areas and the suburbs of North Texas. More than 7.7 million Texans cast their ballots during early voting, representing 40.5% of registered voters. It was the highest early turnout rate for a midterm election in modern Texas history.

Paxton had secured the Republican nomination after defeating longtime Senator John Cornyn in a May runoff. Trump endorsed Paxton shortly before that contest, and national Republican organisations subsequently invested heavily in his general election campaign.

The Democratic breakthrough extended to the governor's race. Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican incumbent Greg Abbott and will become Texas's first Latina governor. As Texas Public Radio reported, the victories have raised questions about whether the state's political landscape is undergoing a lasting change.

Georgia delivered another historic result. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson, becoming the first Black woman elected governor of any US state. She will also be the first woman to lead Georgia's state government.

Bottoms, 56, previously served as mayor of Atlanta from 2018 to 2022 and later worked in President Joe Biden's administration, including as director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.

Her opponent, billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, spent more than $200 million of his own money on the campaign. Despite that financial advantage, Bottoms secured a victory that ended more than two decades of Republican control of Georgia's governorship.

According to Reuters, the result represents a historic milestone for Black women in American politics and reflects Georgia's changing electoral landscape.

The victory follows two unsuccessful gubernatorial campaigns by Democrat Stacey Abrams, whose efforts to mobilise voters helped strengthen the party's organisation in Georgia. Black voters have played a central role in the Democratic coalition that has made the state increasingly competitive in national elections.

Bottoms will succeed Republican Brian Kemp, who was unable to run for another consecutive term after serving two terms as governor.

The results in Texas and Georgia show that the Democratic gains were not confined to Congress. The party also captured governorships in states that had been central to Republican electoral strength for decades.

Whether these victories represent a permanent political realignment remains uncertain. However, they give Democrats new opportunities to build statewide political organisations and challenge Republicans in two of the country's most important electoral battlegrounds ahead of the 2028 presidential election.

How Democrats Secured Their Congressional Victory

Preliminary results from the US midterm elections indicate that Democrats have won enough seats to take control of Congress. Several races remain undecided, and ballots are still being counted in some states.

The projected outcome ends the Republican legislative majorities established after Trump's return to the White House in January 2025.

Democrats have made gains in states where they struggled to win federal elections for decades. Their candidates have secured Senate victories in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina. They have also defeated Republican incumbents in House districts that Trump won comfortably in the 2024 presidential election.

The new Congress will convene on 3 January 2027. If the projections are confirmed, Trump will face Democratic majorities in both chambers during the final two years of his presidency.

Democrats Break Republican Dominance in the Senate

Republicans entered the election with 53 Senate seats. Democrats held 45, alongside two independents who caucus with them. The Republican Party had expected to retain its majority despite facing several competitive races.

The biggest surprises came from states long considered reliable Republican territory.

In Texas, Democratic state representative James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton. Talarico became the first Democrat elected to the US Senate from the state since 1988.

Trump had supported Paxton in the Republican primary against incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Some Republican officials had questioned whether Paxton could win the general election.

Kansas elected Democrat Adam Hamilton, who defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall. The state had not elected a Democratic senator since 1932.

South Carolina delivered another unexpected result. Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, the sister of the late Senator Lindsey Graham. Trump had supported her candidacy after her brother's death earlier in 2026.

The result was particularly notable because Trump carried South Carolina by nearly 18 percentage points in 2024.

In Iowa, Democratic state representative Josh Turek defeated Republican congresswoman Ashley Hinson. They were competing for the seat vacated by retiring Senator Joni Ernst. Trump had won Iowa by approximately 13 percentage points two years earlier.

Former Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown also secured a victory in Ohio. He defeated Republican Jon Husted and regained a Senate seat after losing his previous re-election campaign in 2024.

North Carolina elected former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper over Republican Michael Whatley. In Maine, Democrat Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins, ending her three-decade Senate career.

Democrats also retained important seats in Georgia and New Hampshire. Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia, while Chris Pappas defeated former Senator John Sununu in New Hampshire.

Michigan elected progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated Republican Mike Rogers. He will become the first Muslim elected to the US Senate.

Results in Alaska and Mississippi remained unresolved early on Wednesday. The final size of the Democratic majority will depend on the remaining contests.

House Results Show Democrats Winning Trump-Voting Districts

Republicans entered the House elections with a narrow majority. All 435 seats were contested, and 218 are needed to control the chamber.

Democratic candidates made gains across several regions, including districts where Republican incumbents had previously enjoyed comfortable margins.

According to Reuters, Democrats won all 20 closely watched House races declared by the time of its early Wednesday reporting.

In Indiana's 5th Congressional District, Democrat J. D. Ford defeated Republican incumbent Victoria Spartz. Trump had carried the constituency by nearly 17 percentage points in 2024.

Iowa experienced a substantial shift. Democrats captured three of the state's four congressional seats. The state's House delegation had previously been entirely Republican.

Christina Bohannan defeated incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 1st District. Sarah Trone Garriott unseated Zach Nunn in the 3rd, while Lindsay James captured the open 2nd District seat.

Republican incumbents also lost seats in New Jersey and New York. Tom Kean and Mike Lawler were among those defeated. Democrats made further gains in Pennsylvania, Florida and several other states.

The results came despite Republican efforts to secure more favourable electoral boundaries.

Several Republican-controlled states redrew congressional districts ahead of the election. The changes were intended to improve the party's prospects of retaining its House majority.

The strategy produced limited success. According to Reuters, Democrats retained most of the targeted seats and gained Republican-held constituencies elsewhere.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is now positioned to become Speaker in January. If elected, he would become the first Black politician to hold the position.

High Prices and the Iran War Influence Voters

Living costs were a central issue throughout the election campaign.

Exit polls conducted by SSRS for a consortium of American media found that nearly nine in ten voters considered the cost of living a crucial or major factor in their decision.

Nearly two-thirds blamed Trump for high prices. Approximately three-quarters said they were angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country.

The Associated Press Voter Poll recorded similar concerns. About eight in ten respondents described inflation as a moderate or severe financial burden on their households.

Trump won the 2024 presidential election partly on promises to reduce inflation and improve Americans' purchasing power.

During his second term, however, his tariffs on imported goods and the war with Iran became major sources of criticism.

Democratic candidates focused on grocery bills, fuel costs, housing and healthcare. They argued that the administration's economic decisions had increased pressure on household budgets.

Republicans concentrated on immigration and cultural issues, including transgender rights. They also sought to portray Democratic candidates as politically extreme.

The exit polls indicated that economic concerns carried greater weight among voters.

Government corruption was another prominent issue. Around half of respondents to the AP Voter Poll considered it crucial to their vote. Approximately six in ten believed Trump placed his personal interests ahead of those of the country.

Republicans also lost support among some demographic groups that had helped Trump win in 2024.

According to Reuters' analysis of exit polls, Republican support among Hispanic voters fell from approximately 46% in the presidential election to around one-third in the midterms.

Democratic gains were particularly pronounced in heavily Latino communities. These included counties along the Texas-Mexico border, where Trump had improved his performance two years earlier.

Younger voters also moved towards Democrats. The AP Voter Poll found that around seven in ten voters under 30 supported Democratic House candidates.

The shift extended beyond any single demographic group.

Reuters and USA Today examined results from approximately 1,700 counties where most ballots had been counted. Their analysis found that Republicans had lost ground in nearly all of them.

Democratic candidates improved their performance in both wealthy and poorer communities. They also gained support in areas with different levels of educational attainment.

Trump Distances Himself from the Defeat

Trump played a prominent role in the Republican campaign. He held numerous rallies during its final weeks and encouraged supporters to treat the midterms as a vote on his presidency.

At campaign events, he repeatedly urged voters to imagine that his name appeared on the ballot.

As Republican losses mounted on Tuesday night, the president sought to distance himself from the outcome.

In a social media post, Trump argued that Republicans would have won by a landslide had he personally been standing for election.

Speaking to Fox News, he acknowledged the Democrats' victories and congratulated them. He also indicated that he was prepared to cooperate with the new congressional majorities on certain issues, including immigration.

However, he warned that he would veto legislation he considered unacceptable.

Republican Senate leader John Thune indicated that his party would continue defending Trump's policies and opposing Democratic proposals.

The results come halfway through Trump's second presidency. The US Constitution prevents him from seeking a third elected term in 2028.

Democrats Also Gain Governorships and State Legislatures

Republican losses extended beyond Washington.

In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Governor Greg Abbott, who had been seeking a fourth term. She will become the state's first Latina governor.

Georgia elected former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. She will become the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.

Ohio chose Democrat Amy Acton over Republican Vivek Ramaswamy. In Iowa, Rob Sand won the governorship, returning Democrats to the office for the first time in two decades.

The party also gained control of the North Carolina House of Representatives and the Wisconsin Senate.

These results will affect the balance of power in state governments. State legislatures and governors oversee policies covering taxation, education, healthcare, public services and electoral administration.

The victories in Texas and Georgia were especially notable. Both states had been important Republican strongholds during the previous decade.

What Democratic Control of Congress Means for Trump

The new congressional majorities will give Democrats greater authority over federal legislation and government spending. They will also be able to investigate the administration's activities.

In the House, Democrats will control committee leadership and much of the legislative agenda.

Party leaders have indicated that they intend to examine the conduct of senior administration officials, the president's business interests and the activities of federal departments.

Congressional committees can request documents, summon witnesses and issue subpoenas during authorised investigations.

Democrats will also gain influence over negotiations on federal spending and government funding.

The Senate majority provides additional powers.

The chamber is responsible for confirming presidential appointments to senior government positions and federal courts. This includes appointments to the Supreme Court.

Democrats will therefore be able to block nominees who fail to secure sufficient support.

However, control of Congress will not remove the president's constitutional authority.

Trump can veto legislation passed by both chambers. Overriding a presidential veto requires a two-thirds majority in the House and Senate.

Most contested legislation in the Senate also requires 60 votes to advance, unless a procedural exception applies.

These restrictions will limit the Democrats' ability to enact legislation without Republican cooperation. Congressional oversight, investigations and confirmation votes will provide more direct opportunities to challenge the administration.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer described the election as a generational change in the Senate's political map. He said the party now had a responsibility to respond to voters' demands.

Jeffries has placed reducing household costs among the Democrats' principal priorities. He has also promised closer scrutiny of the administration.

The outgoing Republican majorities will remain in office until January. The newly elected members will then take their seats in the 120th Congress.