Democrats Retake the House and Senate in Midterm Wave as Shapiro Wins a Second Term in Pennsylvania
Democrats retook both chambers of Congress in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, flipping seven Republican-held Senate seats to claim a majority and securing more than the 218 seats needed to control the House, according to counts from The Associated Press and CNN. Counting continued into the early hours of Nov. 4, and some races remained uncalled. All results remain unofficial until states complete their canvasses and certify them.
In the Senate, 35 of the chamber’s 100 seats were on the ballot, and 51 seats make a majority. Democrats took Republican-held seats in Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas, CNN reported. Several candidates endorsed by President Donald Trump lost. The AP had called 33 of the 35 Senate races, with Alaska and Mississippi still too early to call.
In the House, all 435 seats were on the ballot, and 218 make a majority. The AP had called 222 seats for Democrats and 138 for Republicans, with 75 districts still uncalled. Democrats led the national House popular vote, about 58.7 million votes to 46.6 million for Republicans. About 87 percent of the estimated vote had been counted.
Two races remained unresolved. The Senate race in Alaska was too close to call, and in Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom led Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 3,160 votes, 49.1 percent to 48.8 percent. If no candidate passes 50 percent in Mississippi, a runoff will be held Dec. 1.
Shapiro Wins a Second Term and Democrats Flip the Pennsylvania Senate
In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiro won a second term. The AP called the race at 8:02 p.m., shortly after polls closed. With about 98 percent of precincts reporting, Shapiro had 2,988,002 votes to 1,904,484 for Republican Stacy Garrity, the state treasurer, a margin of about 60 percent to 39 percent. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis also won a second term alongside Shapiro. Shapiro became the fifth consecutive Democratic governor to win a second term since the state constitution was amended in 1967 to allow governors to serve consecutive terms.
Democrats also flipped the Pennsylvania state Senate, the Erie Times-News reported, giving Shapiro a trifecta with the governor’s office and both legislative chambers. State legislative results will also be finalized after canvassing and certification.
The Night’s Surprises
In Texas, Democrat James Talarico won the Senate race, and Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Gov. Greg Abbott. It was the first time Democrats had won statewide office in Texas since 1994.
In Kansas, Democrats won a Senate race for the first time since the 1930s. In South Carolina, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham. The seat had been held by Republicans since Strom Thurmond switched parties in 1964.
Democrats also won both the governor’s office and a Senate race in Iowa, Minnesota and Ohio.
In the Election Day exit poll, the economy ranked as the most important issue. Thirty-nine percent of voters named it first, and about 75 percent said they were angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country. Thirty-eight percent approved of Trump’s job performance, while 62 percent disapproved.
Counting in the remaining districts continues. Whether Mississippi holds a runoff and the outcome of the remaining House districts will sharpen the picture. The newly elected Congress takes office Jan. 3, 2027.
