Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in the 3 November 2026 midterm elections, the first time since 2006 that a midterm has flipped the House and the Senate together. Coverage across the spectrum described the result as a rebuke of President Trump, driven by prices, the Iran war and, more unexpectedly, the AI data-centre boom.
Twelve days on, the outcome is settled but the margins are not. Two Senate races were still uncalled at the time of writing, and the House count is still being finalised.
The short version
- Senate: Democrats are on track for at least 54 seats to Republicans' 42, per CNBC's election desk. Mississippi and Alaska were still uncalled.
- House: Democrats are projected to hold at least 250 seats to about 165. A majority is 218.
- Governors: Democrats flipped Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa and Nevada and now hold at least 28 governorships, their first majority since 2010.
- Upsets: James Talarico beat Ken Paxton for the Texas Senate seat. Abdul El-Sayed beat Mike Rogers in Michigan, 52% to 45%.
- Data centres: voters opposed new data-centre development in 40 of 41 local ballot measures.
- When it bites: the new Congress is sworn in on 3 January 2027. Until then, the current Republican majorities run the lame-duck session.
What are the 2026 midterm results so far?
| Democrats | Republicans | Still to call | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate | at least 54 | at least 42 | Mississippi, Alaska |
| House | at least 250 | about 165 | a handful of seats |
| Governors | at least 28 | the rest | Alaska and Kansas were late calls |
Figures are CNBC Election Desk projections and other outlets' live trackers, which differed by a few seats depending on when they were last updated. Treat them as a range, not a final count. Since then, Democrat Cindy Holscher has been reported as the winner in Kansas and Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins in Alaska's governor's race.
Which races were the biggest surprises?
Texas. Democrat James Talarico beat Republican Ken Paxton for the Senate seat despite about $224 million in spending tied to Elon Musk, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Governor Greg Abbott, partly by running against the state's data-centre buildout.
Michigan. Abdul El-Sayed won the open Senate seat against Mike Rogers by seven points.
Ohio. Sherrod Brown returned to the Senate by beating Jon Husted, whom he called "the face of data centers", and Amy Acton won the governorship on a platform that included a conditional moratorium on new data centres.
Mississippi. The closest race in the country. On election night Scott Colom led Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by 65 votes; by 10 November his lead had grown to roughly 2,000. Mississippi has no automatic recount law, so a recount happens only if a court orders one.
Why did Republicans lose so badly?
Three explanations came up again and again in the reporting:
- Prices. Petrol averaged over $4 a gallon for much of the autumn, and August, September and October each set monthly records at the pump. Trump himself blamed oil prices.
- The Iran war. Vice President Vance blamed the war for the losses. It is unpopular, expensive, and it is what pushed oil up.
- Data centres. Voters in red and blue areas alike rejected new data-centre construction, citing power bills, water and land. In a CNBC voter poll, 56% said data centres were a crucial or major factor in their vote. We cover that story in why voters rejected data centres in 40 of 41 ballot measures.
What will the new Democratic Congress try to do?
The incoming leaders have been specific about their priorities:
| Who | Role from January | Stated priorities |
|---|---|---|
| Hakeem Jeffries | House leader | Affordability, accountability, "American values" |
| Katherine Clark | House whip | Legislation to "lower prices" and protect healthcare |
| Ron Wyden | expected Senate Finance chair | A billionaire tax, healthcare, CEO accountability, tariffs |
| Robert Garcia | expected House Oversight chair | Investigations into the Trump family, immigration enforcement, corporate corruption, Jeffrey Epstein |
The practical limits matter as much as the wish list. Trump still holds the veto and said he would veto bills he considers "insane", while also saying he could work with Democrats on "a lot of financial ideas". He signalled he will not roll back tariffs. A veto override needs two-thirds of both chambers, which Democrats do not have.
So the realistic levers are the ones a majority controls on its own: oversight hearings and subpoenas, the appropriations process, and the debt limit, which analysts expect to be the first big test of 2027.
What happens between now and January?
The current Congress keeps working until the new one is seated on 3 January 2027. That lame-duck session has a crowded and contentious agenda:
- Government funding runs out on 11 December. Several Democratic senators have said they will not back a stopgap that keeps funding the Iran war. See our explainer on the 11 December shutdown deadline.
- The $350 billion defence request. Trump wants Republicans to pass it through reconciliation before they lose the majority. Several Republican senators are sceptical.
- Medicaid work requirements still start on 1 January, though states can now delay enforcement. See what the six-month delay changes.
What does it mean for businesses?
For most companies, nothing changes on day one. The useful thing is to know which costs and rules are now genuinely in play:
- Tariffs stay, because the President controls them and has said so. Plan pricing on the tariffs you have, as in our 90-day pricing playbook for tariff volatility.
- AI and data-centre rules are the area most likely to move, mostly at state and local level, where it already has. Our guide to US state AI and privacy rules is the place to start.
- Healthcare costs are a Democratic priority, but nothing passed in 2027 will change premiums already set for 2027 plans.
- Market reaction was split. The Dow rose more than 1,500 points the day after the election, then AI stocks had their worst day since April 2025 on 5 November.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 midterms?
Democrats won majorities in both the House and the Senate on 3 November 2026, and flipped five governorships in states Trump carried in 2024.
When does the new Congress take office?
On 3 January 2027. The House elects its speaker that day.
How many Senate seats did Democrats win?
At least 54 on CNBC's projection as of mid-November, with Mississippi and Alaska still uncalled. Some trackers showed 52 to 55 depending on the date.
Can a Democratic Congress cancel Trump's tariffs?
Not on its own. A bill would need the President's signature or a two-thirds override vote in both chambers.
Is the Mississippi Senate race going to a recount?
Mississippi has no automatic recount. A recount would happen only if a court orders one after a legal challenge.
Sources
CNBC midterm results live coverage; Variety; CBC News; CNBC on data-centre ballot measures; WLOX on Mississippi recount law. As of 15 November 2026.
