SPECIAL MIDTERM ELECTION EDITION
Federal Level
Democrats Win Senate Control With Red-State Upsets
Democrats won control of the Senate on Tuesday night, flipping at least seven Republican-held seats in Kansas, Iowa, Texas, Ohio, Maine, North Carolina and South Carolina, according to the Associated Press. The party also held its seats in the battleground states of Georgia, Michigan and New Hampshire. Josh Turek defeated Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa, and Adam Hamilton ousted Sen. Roger Marshall in Kansas. Sherrod Brown beat Sen. Jon Husted in Ohio, and Roy Cooper won the open seat in North Carolina. “Against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said. The Alaska and Mississippi races remained uncalled early Wednesday.1, 2
Democrats Win the House and Full Control of Congress
Democrats won control of the U.S. House late Tuesday night, giving the party unified control of Congress for the final two years of President Trump’s term, the Associated Press reported. Democrats flipped more than two dozen districts, including some that Trump won by double digits in 2024. In Indiana, J.D. Ford defeated three-term Rep. Victoria Spartz in a district Trump carried by nearly 17 percentage points. Along the Texas-Mexico border, Bobby Pulido ousted Rep. Monica De La Cruz. Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is now poised to become the first Black speaker of the House when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3.1
Talarico Defeats Paxton to Win Texas Senate Seat
Democratic state Rep. James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday to win the U.S. Senate seat in Texas, according to CBS News projections. Texas had not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. Paxton had defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary after President Trump made a last-minute endorsement. In his concession, Paxton said he would be “praying” for Talarico “if he will do good for Texas and this nation.” Cornyn congratulated Talarico and offered to help with the transition. Talarico, a 37-year-old former teacher, told his supporters, “Tonight, we defeated Goliath.”2
Susan Collins Concedes Maine Senate Race to Jackson
Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson late Tuesday night, ending her bid for a sixth term, and the Associated Press called the race shortly afterward. Collins chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee and was one of the most threatened Republican incumbents this year. Jackson, a former president of the Maine Senate, became the Democratic nominee in July after Graham Platner withdrew while facing a sexual assault allegation, which he denied. “It has been the honor of my life to serve the people of Maine in the United States Senate,” Collins said. She pledged a smooth transition for Jackson.1, 2
El-Sayed Wins Michigan, Becoming First Muslim Senator
Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won Tuesday’s open Senate race in Michigan, defeating Republican Mike Rogers in a contest the Associated Press called early Wednesday morning. El-Sayed, a former public health official, will succeed retiring Democratic Sen. Gary Peters and become the nation’s first Muslim senator. His victory came days after Rep. Haley Stevens, whom he defeated in a narrow primary, endorsed Rogers. El-Sayed declared victory before the race was called, telling supporters in Detroit, “Michigan, we did it!” He thanked voters for inviting him into their churches, synagogues and homes, and said he was “so proud and honored” to be their senator-elect.1, 2
State Level
Hinojosa Unseats Abbott in Texas Governor’s Race
Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday, denying him a record fourth term, according to the Texas Tribune. Hinojosa, 52, will be the state’s first Latina governor and its first Democratic governor since Ann Richards. Abbott conceded at 10 p.m. after calling Hinojosa to congratulate her. His advertising spending reached nearly $118 million, compared with her $26 million. Hinojosa campaigned on public schools and promised to end the state’s school voucher program. “We did not end one era of single party rule to usher in another,” she told supporters, adding that she was committed to working across party lines.3
Amy Acton Defeats Ramaswamy in Ohio Governor Race
Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in the Ohio governor’s race on Tuesday, becoming the first Democrat to win the office in 20 years and the first woman ever elected to it, the Associated Press reported. Acton, 60, a physician and the state’s former health director, overcame more than $100 million spent against her. Ramaswamy had President Trump’s backing, and both Trump and Vice President JD Vance made repeated trips to Ohio in the final weeks. Acton campaigned on affordability and better access to health care. She will succeed term-limited Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, whom she served during the pandemic.4
Bottoms Becomes First Black Woman Elected Governor
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms won the Georgia governor’s race on Tuesday, defeating Republican Rick Jackson and becoming the first Black woman governor anywhere in the country, the Georgia Recorder reported. The Associated Press called the race just before 9:30 p.m. Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, will be the state’s first Democratic governor since Roy Barnes lost his reelection bid in 2002. Jackson, a health care executive endorsed by Gov. Brian Kemp and President Trump, spent $200 million of his own money. Bottoms ran on pocketbook issues, proposing a pause on data center construction and making Medicaid expansion central to her campaign.5
◆
THIS POLITICAL NEWS REPORT IS FREE TO EVERYONE
WOULD YOU KINDLY SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND?
Article Sources
1. Associated Press, “Midterm elections live updates: Voters give Democrats control of Congress in rebuke to Trump,” Nov. 4, 2026.
https://apnews.com/live/midterm-election-2026
2. CBS News, “2026 Senate midterm election results as Democrats take control, El-Sayed wins in Michigan,” Nov. 4, 2026.
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/senate-election-results-2026/?ref=workersrights.news
3. The Texas Tribune, “Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeats Greg Abbott for Texas governor,” Nov. 3, 2026.
https://www.texastribune.org/2026/11/03/texas-governor-greg-abbott-gina-hinojosa-election/
4. PBS News (Associated Press), “Live Results: Amy Acton wins governor race in Ohio,” Nov. 3, 2026.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/live-results-ohio-governor-midterm-election
5. Georgia Recorder, “Keisha Lance Bottoms will be Georgia’s next governor in historic win,” Nov. 3, 2026.
https://georgiarecorder.com/2026/11/03/keisha-lance-bottoms-will-be-georgias-next-governor-in-historic-win/