Networks say Democrats have won enough seats to take back the U.S. Senate, giving the party majorities in both chambers and new power to check President Trump’s agenda.
What the projections say
CBS News, NBC News and the Associated Press project that Democrats have flipped control of the Senate in the 2026 midterms. Republicans began the night with a 53–47 edge. Democrats needed a net gain of four seats for a majority. A majority is more than half the seats, so one party can set the chamber’s agenda and decide which bills and nominees get votes.
According to CBS, Democrats were projected to flip seats in Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kansas and Iowa, while holding Georgia and New Hampshire. NBC projects Democrats will also hold the House, with a comfortable margin beyond the 218 seats needed there.
Flips that stood out
Networks and the Democratic Party highlighted several races that had looked hard to win in states President Trump carried in 2024:
- In Texas, Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton, the first Democratic Senate win there since 1988, according to CBS and a post from @TheDemocrats.
- In Kansas, Rev. Adam Hamilton defeated Sen. Roger Marshall. @TheDemocrats said he would be the first Democrat to represent Kansas in the Senate in 88 years.
- In Iowa, state Rep. Josh Turek defeated Rep. Ashley Hinson for the open seat left by Sen. Joni Ernst, CBS projected.
- Democrats also flipped seats in North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio, according to CBS and NBC.
How both sides framed the night
On X, @TheDemocrats posted: “IT’S OFFICIAL: DEMOCRATS HAVE FLIPPED THE SENATE.” Sen. Bernie Sanders wrote that Democrats will control both chambers “and be able to hold Trump accountable,” while urging a stronger fight for working families.
President Trump posted on Truth Social: “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. President DONALD J. TRUMP.” NBC reported he had urged voters during the campaign to pretend he was on the ballot. The White House account on X kept posting “PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT” messages about the administration’s record as results came in.
Why it matters for you
With Senate control, Democrats can block many presidential nominees and decide which bills reach the floor. That includes potential Supreme Court picks and spending fights in Trump’s final two years in office. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries posted “Victory for America!” after networks projected a House takeover; he is expected to seek the speakership when the new Congress meets in January.
Some races were still being counted late Tuesday. Exact seat totals may shift as more ballots are tallied.
Sources: AP · CBS News · NBC News · @TheDemocrats on X · @BernieSanders on X · @RepJeffries on X · Trump on Truth Social
