First results of the US midterm elections: Democrats ahead of Republicans in the Senate

Preliminary results: Democrats ahead in the Senate

Midterm elections were held in the United States on November 3, 2026, and after polls closed in key states, vote counting is still underway. According to the latest preliminary data from DW's online live coverage, cited by Kun.uz, Democrats currently hold 45 seats in the Senate and Republicans 36; winners for the remaining seats have not yet been determined.

Republicans trailing in traditionally conservative states

One of the fiercest contests is unfolding in Texas: according to CNN, Democrat James Talarico is noticeably ahead of Republican Ken Paxton in the Senate race. Republicans are also worried about a possible defeat of the state's incumbent governor, Greg Abbott, who is running for re-election — although results from rural areas are expected to narrow the party's deficit. Republican candidates are also trailing in the preliminary count in traditionally conservative states such as South Carolina, Ohio, Iowa and Kansas, while in Nebraska a Republican is behind an independent candidate. Final winners in these states have not yet been determined.

AP projections and what Americans are voting on

The Associated Press projects a victory for Democrat Roy Cooper over Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina — meaning that, according to the projection, Democrats will for the first time in these elections take a Senate seat from Republicans: Cooper will take the seat of Thom Tillis, who announced his departure from politics. AP also projects wins for Democrats Chris Pappas in New Hampshire, Jon Ossoff in Georgia and Mark Warner in Virginia, as well as in Colorado, New Mexico, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island. Republicans, according to the projection, are expected to hold Senate seats in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Florida, West Virginia and Wyoming — where victories are anticipated for Andy Barr, Kevin Hern and Ashley Moody respectively. In the gubernatorial races, AP gives Democrats nine states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois, Georgia and Colorado — and Republicans Florida and Wyoming. Recall that midterm elections take place in the middle of a four-year presidential term: Americans elect the entire House of Representatives, one third of the Senate, and in a number of states governors and local officials. All figures given are preliminary: vote counting is still ongoing in many states, and the final results may differ.