Donald Trump asked for this.
For months, the president urged his supporters to treat the midterms as a vote on him. “So what I really want you to do is pretend, please, that I’m on the ballot,” he told a rally crowd in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in August, a line he repeated through the fall.
On Tuesday, Americans took him at his word.
Democrats flipped both chambers of Congress. As of Wednesday morning, they held a 241–150 edge in the House, a gain of 30 seats, and a 54–44 edge in the Senate, a gain of seven, according to Decision Desk HQ, with races still being counted.
And they did it by winning in places Republicans thought were theirs for keeps.
In Texas, James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton, the Trump-backed attorney general, to become the first Democrat to win a U.S. Senate race in the state since 1988. Gina Hinojosa ousted Gov. Greg Abbott by roughly seven points.
In South Carolina, where Trump made his “pretend I’m on the ballot” plea, Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Lindsey Graham’s sister Sen. Darline Graham, the Republican he personally campaigned for.
In Georgia, former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms won by more than eight points to become the first Black woman ever elected governor of a state, while Sen. Jon Ossoff cruised to reelection by 18.
And in New Mexico, Deb Haaland won by nearly 15 points to become the first Native American woman elected governor in U.S. history.
Republicans won Washington in 2024 by promising to bring down prices. Instead, voters got an unpopular war in Iran, rising costs, and a president at a record low on the cost of living, 41 points underwater. In the closing weeks, rather than defend that record, Republicans poured money into attacks on Muslim and transgender Americans. Voters weren’t buying it.
Democrats didn’t win because the map was easy. They won because Republicans tied themselves to Trump, and he failed the people who sent him back to the White House.
In January, the new majorities take over, and for the first time in two years there will be a real check on this administration. COURIER will be watching what they do with it, and holding them to the promises that got them there.
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Democrats sweep Michigan’s statewide races, win control of Legislature
By Kyle Kaminski, The ‘Gander
Democrats also swept the rest of the ballot—winning the races for attorney general and secretary of state, and taking majority control of the state Legislature.
Keisha Lance-Bottoms elected Georgia governor, Ossoff wins re-election
By Courier Georgia Staff
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms are both projected to win their respective elections for US Senate and and governor.
Gov. Katie Hobbs wins over Rep. Andy Biggs
By Sahara Sajjadi, The Copper Courier
Arizonans are deciding key statewide races and high-stakes congressional seats that could determine the balance of power in Washington and the direction of the Grand Canyon State.
James Talarico, Gina Hinojosa win, flip Texas blue
By Brian McManus, Courier Texas
James Talarico has won the most expensive US Senate race in American history, and Gina Hinojosa has triumphed over Greg Abbott and will be Texas’ next governor, marking the first statewide Democratic wins in over three decades.
Nebraska’s 2026 midterm election results: Powell wins NE-02, Pillen wins governor’s race
By Chase Porter, Courier Nebraska
The ruby red, triple landlocked state became an unexpected battleground this year as national pressures trickled into numerous races for statewide and federal office.
Democrats sweep New Hampshire congressional races as Pappas wins Senate seat
By Colin Booth, Granite Post
New Hampshire congressional election results 2026: Democrats swept New Hampshire’s races for Congress on Tuesday, keeping the state’s all-Democratic congressional delegation intact.
North Carolina’s 2026 election: Democrats’ big night keep getting bigger
By Dylan Rhoney and Billy Ball, Cardinal & Pine
Roy Cooper is projected to win his race for the US Senate, and Democrats lead in two of the most competitive Congressional races in the country.
Conley, Suozzi win key House races, Hochul cruises to victory
By Audrey Kemp, Courier New York
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has defeated Republican Bruce Blakeman in the race for New York governor, according to Decision Desk HQ, which called the race for Hochul.
Deb Haaland to become nation’s first Native American woman governor
By Sarah Sicard, Courier New Mexico
The polls are closed in New Mexico, where voters are deciding two closely watched races Tuesday.
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Now that the election is over and a blue tsunami swept the nation…there’s something you can do for our movement: share your story. Every one of us is a history maker, and the stories of what we did this election and every election to protect democracy belong in the historic record. I invite you to record your story as part of the Persisterhood Oral History Project. To learn more, visit https://persisterhoodproject.org/
The first step to recording your story is to attend an orientation session. Upcoming Dates: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/wqFrhh5HTduU28HmkhNxWQ and https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pRtW8QGmR8CHwnzrFGD1Tg