6 most shocking Midterm upsets, including state that elected first Democratic senator in a century

Democrats claimed a sweeping victory in the 2026 midterms, taking control of both chambers of Congress and overturning several Republican strongholds. The results included historic Senate wins in Kansas and Texas, while Democrats also won key gubernatorial races, signalling a possible shift in the political map ahead of 2028.

The article highlights six major upsets: James Talarico defeated Ken Paxton in Texas by more than one million votes, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott lost to Gina Hinojosa. Adam Hamilton won Kansas with 52.1% against Roger Marshall’s 45%; Annie Andrews beat Darline Graham in South Carolina, 51.1% to 46.7%; and Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins in Maine, 53.8% to 46.1%. Democrats also won governorships in Ohio and Georgia, where Keisha Lance Bottoms became the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.