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Four key victories (and two surprises): A review of the Democratic wins in the elections
Democrats gained enough seats to take control of both chambers of Congress, exceeding the four-seat gains they had needed in the Senate and House. They also scored unexpected victories in conservative states, delivering a setback to President Donald Trump, who had backed several Republican candidates.
In South Carolina, physician Annie Andrews defeated Darline Graham, whose campaign had Trump’s support. Kansas elected Democrat Adam Hamilton to the Senate for the first time in nearly a century; his Republican opponent faced criticism over his former medical clinic’s debt-collection practices. In Texas, James Talarico beat Ken Paxton in a statewide race, with 59.4% of the vote counted for Talarico when the article reported the result; the article also names Gina Hinojosa as Texas’s next governor. Some results were still pending.
In short
- Democrats took control of both chambers of Congress.
- They won unexpected Senate races in South Carolina and Kansas.
- James Talarico won Texas’s Senate contest against Ken Paxton.
Explained simply
The United States Congress has two chambers: the House of Representatives, where seats are allocated by population, and the Senate, where each state elects two senators. Together, they pass federal laws and approve government spending, while the Senate also confirms many senior officials.
The Democratic and Republican parties compete for control of Congress, which can affect how easily a president advances their plans. Donald Trump is a Republican president, so changes in which party holds seats can shape relations between the White House and Congress.
Elections also decide state offices, including governors and seats in the Senate. Local candidates and issues can influence those contests, even as national party politics and a president’s support may draw wider attention.