Democrats Win House and Senate in Midterms; Key Races Uncalled

Democrats have won control of both the House and the Senate in the midterm elections, according to Fox News, flipping a string of Republican-held Senate seats and clearing the 218 seats needed for a House majority. Several high-profile races were still uncalled as Tuesday turned into Wednesday, leaving the final size of the Democratic majorities unknown.

What happened

In the Senate, Democrats took the majority by winning seats previously held by Republicans in Maine, Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, Texas, North Carolina and South Carolina. They also held on to open seats in Michigan and New Hampshire.

Two Republican-held Senate seats remained too close to call. In Mississippi, incumbent Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Scott Colom appeared deadlocked. In Alaska, GOP incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan held a slight lead over former Rep. Mary Peltola while votes were still being counted.

In the House, Democrats crossed the 218-seat threshold to take the chamber, though many races were still outstanding.

Governors’ races in Nevada, Alaska and Kansas had also not been called, with Nevada described as highly competitive and counting continuing in the other two.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., framed the outcome as a rejection of the GOP, telling reporters the result had turned the Republican “red brick wall” into “a pile of bricks.” He promised that in January, when the new Congress convenes, “relief is on the way.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said Republicans would not stand by as the Democratic Party’s “far-left, socialist wing” tries to undo the GOP’s record, and that they would work with President Donald Trump to check what he called Democratic extremism.

Trump, who had spent two months telling supporters to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” wrote on social media as results came in that he was not on the ballot and would have won “in a landslide” if he had been. In a Fox News interview with Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum shortly afterward, he said the Democrats “did a good job” and that he could work with their new majorities “on many things.”

Why it matters

Control of both chambers gives Democrats the ability to set the congressional agenda and to challenge the president’s priorities, a sharp reversal from the previous session. This suggests the final months of Trump’s term will be defined by confrontation and, at least rhetorically, by selective cooperation — the president’s own comments leave room for deals, while Thune’s remarks signal resistance.

The uncalled races matter beyond bragging rights. Each additional seat strengthens a majority’s ability to pass legislation and absorb defections, so the outstanding Senate and House contests will shape how much leverage Democratic leaders actually have in January.

Key facts at a glance

What this means for you

• Expect divided messaging rather than a single unified agenda: Democratic leaders are promising action in January, while Republican leaders are already signaling opposition.
• Final seat counts are still moving. Any conclusions about how much Democrats can accomplish should wait until the remaining races are called.
• Federal policy direction is likely to shift on priorities Democrats campaigned on, but the source does not specify which bills or measures will move first.
• Nothing in the reporting points to immediate, direct effects on individuals such as benefit changes or tax adjustments; those would depend on legislation not yet described.

Frequently asked questions

Did Democrats win the Senate?

Yes. According to Fox News, Democrats took the Senate majority by flipping Republican-held seats in seven states and defending open seats in Michigan and New Hampshire.

Which races are still undecided?

Two Senate contests — Mississippi and Alaska — were too close to call, along with governors’ races in Nevada, Alaska and Kansas. Many House races also remained outstanding.

How big will the Democratic majority be?

That is not yet known. Democrats have passed 218 House seats, but the final totals depend on races still being counted.

What did Trump say about the results?

He argued on social media that he was not on the ballot and would have won in a landslide if he were, then told Fox News the Democrats did a good job and that he could work with them on many things.

What to watch next

The remaining Senate calls in Mississippi and Alaska, the governors’ races in Nevada, Alaska and Kansas, and the final House seat tally. Also watch how the incoming majorities and the White House frame their first legislative moves when Congress convenes in January.