Democrats Win Congress as Midterms Deliver Historic Firsts

Washington (GNP): Democrats have won control of both chambers of Congress in the 2026 United States midterm elections. The same night produced a run of firsts for women and minority candidates in races for governor, the Senate and the House.

The results reshape the balance of power in Washington and break long-standing barriers in states across the country. Together they make the 2026 midterms one of the most closely watched elections in recent years.

Projections on Wednesday showed Democrats ahead 53-42 in the Senate, driven by at least seven seat pickups across the nation. The result is a major setback for President Donald Trump in the second half of his term.

The House followed the same pattern. Democrats reached the 218 seats needed for a majority after Johnny Garcia defeated Carlos De La Cruz in Texas’s 35th District.

That win ended Republican control of the 435-member chamber. At the last count, 87 races were still uncalled.

The gains were not limited to Capitol Hill. Democrats also won key governor’s races in traditionally Republican states, including Georgia and Texas, and both produced major milestones.

Abdul El-Sayed Becomes First Muslim Senator

The Senate produced milestones of its own, beginning in Michigan. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in a closely watched race to become the first Muslim elected to the chamber.

His religious identity came under repeated attack during the campaign from both Rogers and Trump. El-Sayed is a 42-year-old physician and the son of an Egyptian immigrant, and he was raised in Michigan.

He previously served as Detroit’s health director and headed the Wayne County Department of Health, Human and Veterans Services. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan, a doctorate at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and a medical degree at Columbia University.

He won the Democratic nomination in August by defeating US Representative Haley Stevens. His campaign centered on healthcare, economic inequality and limiting corporate influence in politics.

First Black Woman Governor Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Georgia

In Georgia, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican businessman Rick Jackson. She became the first Black woman elected governor of any US state and is also Georgia’s first woman and first Black governor.

Bottoms served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022. Her tenure drew scrutiny during a period when violent crime rose, but on the campaign trail she stressed her ability to stand up to the Trump administration.

Her victory ends more than two decades of Republican control of the governor’s office.

Gina Hinojosa Becomes Texas’s First Latina Governor

Texas delivered a similar surprise. Democrat Gina Hinojosa unseated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott to become the state’s first Latina governor.

Her campaign gained little traction at first, and Abbott far outspent her. She gained ground by focusing on affordability and opposing new data centers, an issue that put Abbott on the defensive.

The last Democrat to hold the office was the late Ann Richards, who left in 1995.

Peggy Flanagan and Chris Pappas Break Senate Barriers

Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan became the first Native American woman elected to the Senate after defeating Republican Michele Tafoya, a former sideline reporter in the National Football League. Flanagan is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and will succeed retiring Democratic Senator Tina Smith.

Before becoming lieutenant governor in 2019, she served on the Minneapolis Board of Education and in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She has also worked on Indigenous rights and on relations between the state government and tribal nations.

In New Hampshire, Representative Chris Pappas became the first openly gay man elected to the Senate. At his victory party, with his spouse, Vann Bentley, beside him, he accused Trump and Elon Musk of backing his opponent, John Sununu, with money and attack ads.

Juliana Stratton Brings Three Black Women to the Senate Together

Illinois added another first. Juliana Stratton’s Senate win means three Black women will serve in the chamber at once for the first time when she takes office in January 2027.

She will join Democratic Senators Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware. Stratton served as lieutenant governor under Governor JB Pritzker.

She is also the second Black woman elected to represent Illinois in the Senate, after Carol Moseley Braun won her seat in 1992. With Senator Tammy Duckworth, Illinois will now have two women of color in the chamber.

Also Read: Democrats Seize Congress as Voters Punish Trump Over Prices

Deb Haaland Is First Native American Woman Governor

Governors’ races produced further breakthroughs, and New Mexico was one of them. Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland defeated Republican Gregg Hull to become the first Native American woman elected governor of a US state.

Haaland is a citizen of the Laguna Pueblo. In 2021, she became the first Native American to serve as a US Cabinet secretary when then-President Joe Biden appointed her to lead the Interior Department.

Her win brings a member of an Indigenous community to the top office of a state and extends her record of firsts.

David Crowley and Aaron Ford Become First Black Governors in Their States

Wisconsin and Nevada also made history in their governor’s races. In Wisconsin, Democrat David Crowley defeated Republican Tom Tiffany to become the state’s first Black governor.

His win came against the odds. He dropped out of the race over the summer, then rejoined at the urging of outgoing Democratic Governor Tony Evers, and Tiffany greatly outspent him. Crowley previously served as Milwaukee County executive.

In Nevada, Democrat Aaron Ford defeated Republican Governor Joe Lombardo to become the state’s first Black governor. He was previously the state’s first Black Senate majority leader and its attorney general.

Women Win Governor’s Races in Ohio, Minnesota and Tennessee

Women broke through in three more states. In Ohio, Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy to become the state’s first elected woman governor and its first Jewish governor.

Acton is a physician and former director of the Ohio Department of Health, and she became widely known for her role in the state’s COVID-19 response. Nancy Hollister served as governor for 11 days in 1998 and 1999, but Acton is the first woman elected to the office.

In Minnesota, Democrat Amy Klobuchar defeated Republican state House Speaker Lisa Demuth to become the state’s first elected woman governor.

In Tennessee, Republican Marsha Blackburn became the first woman elected governor.

Byron Donalds and Xavier Becerra Make History in Florida and California

Republicans recorded milestones as well. Byron Donalds, a three-term congressman endorsed by Trump, narrowly defeated Democrat David Jolly to become Florida’s first Black governor. He also becomes the first Black Republican elected governor in US history.

Donalds will succeed Ron DeSantis, who reached his term limit, and made affordability central to his campaign.

In California, Democrat Xavier Becerra became the state’s first elected Latino governor. He broke through a crowded Democratic primary after an underwhelming start and was widely favored against Republican Steve Hilton.

Becerra is the son of Mexican immigrants and will lead a state where more than 40 percent of residents identify as Latino.

Adam Hamawy Is New Jersey’s First Muslim Member of Congress

The House also gained a milestone. Democrat Adam Hamawy, a plastic surgeon and former US Army combat surgeon, won New Jersey’s 12th District by defeating Republican Gregg Mele.

He becomes the state’s first Muslim member of Congress, adding to the growing representation of Muslim Americans on Capitol Hill.

The wave of firsts was summed up by Haaland, who thanked voters in a post on X and pledged to serve every New Mexican, including those who did not back her. Deb Haaland said, “Whether you voted for me or not, I will always be your governor, too.”