Democrats take the House of Representatives and a majority of governorships in the US midterm elections

The House of Representatives and the Senate pass to the Democrats

Following the US midterm elections held on Tuesday, the Democrats have gained control of the House of Representatives, Anadolu reports, citing American media. As of 18:18 GMT on Thursday, the party had won 247 seats in the 435-seat House against 153 for the Republicans — noticeably above the 218-seat threshold needed for a majority; some races have not yet been counted. The Democrats also took the Senate with a margin of 54–44.

Where the Democrats took seats from the Republicans

According to American media, the Democrats flipped Republican districts in a number of states. In Pennsylvania, Bob Brooks defeated incumbent Congressman Ryan Mackenzie in the 7th district; Denise Powell won in Nebraska's 2nd district, and Jamie Eiger in North Carolina's 11th. In Iowa, Christina Bohannan edged out Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 1st district, and Sarah Trone Garriott defeated Zach Nunn in the 3rd. The Democrats also took seats in Wisconsin, including the districts of Congressmen Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden, and in Michigan, while in California Marni von Wilpert won (48th district) and in Nevada Theresa Benitez-Thompson (2nd district). The only unfinished House race noted in the report is Louisiana's 5th district, where neither Democrat Patricia Moore nor Republican Gabe Firment received more than 50% and both will advance to a runoff.

What the majority gives the Democrats

Control of the House will allow the Democrats, starting in January when the new Congress convenes, to shape committees and launch investigations. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the outlet notes, is set to become the first Black Speaker of the House of Representatives in US history.

Governor races: an upset in major states

The Democrats also expanded their control of governorships: they won 28 states against 20 for the Republicans, with two races still undecided. According to the Associated Press, cited by Anadolu, before the election the Republicans held a 26–24 advantage, meaning the outcome represents a swing of roughly four posts. American media reported that governorships changed hands in Georgia, Texas, Ohio and Iowa; some outlets also wrote of a Democratic victory in Nevada.

Symbolic firsts

In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson, ending more than two decades of Republican rule in the state, and became the first Black woman elected governor of a US state. In Texas, Gina Ortiz Jones edged out incumbent Republican Governor Greg Abbott, ending 30 years of Republican control and becoming the first Latina woman to lead the state. Deb Haaland won in New Mexico, becoming the first Native American woman elected governor in US history, and David Crowley became the first Black governor of Wisconsin. In addition, Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio, Rob Sand won in Iowa, and Republican Byron Donalds held Florida for his party.

Alaska: results still unclear

In Alaska, the outcomes of both races — for the Senate and for governor — remain undecided: about 74% of votes have been counted. In the Senate race, Democrat Mary Peltola leads incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan, who is seeking a third term, by roughly 600 votes: 48.2% (102,962 votes) to 47.9% (102,325). Peltola was ahead early in the count, then Sullivan overtook her, and the contest ultimately narrowed sharply — neither candidate crossed the 50% threshold. In the race for the term-limited Republican Mike Dunleavy's seat, Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins leads with 49.1% (103,837 votes); followed by Republicans Bernadette Wilson (29.2%), Dave Bronson (14.2%) and Treg Taylor (7.5%). If no one wins a majority of first-choice votes, both races will proceed to ranked-choice voting. Separately, NBC News projected that in Los Angeles, city council member and democratic socialist Nithya Raman unseated one-term Mayor Karen Bass.