Democrats Gain House Seats as Midterm Races Are Called
Democrats expanded their House lead as the Associated Press called more races in the midterm elections, including California's 14th District.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Political Parties
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Democrat Aisha Wahab won California's 14th Congressional District, and Democrat Nancy Lacore flipped South Carolina's 1st District from Republican control with 49.7% of the vote to 48.6%. Democrats held 254 seats in the 435-member House, compared with 162 for Republicans.
Why it matters
The shift in House control means Republicans will lose the majorities they have held in both chambers during the first two years of President Donald Trump's second term. The newly elected Congress will convene on Jan. 3.
The Democratic House lead of more than 90 seats was measured on Saturday with 19 races still undecided. Senate contests in Alaska and Mississippi had not been resolved.
The players
Aisha Wahab
A Democratic member of the California State Senate who won California's 14th Congressional District in the midterm elections.
Donald Trump
The current President of the United States, serving his second term, who has pledged to end US financial assistance to Israel by the end of the year.
The details
Wahab secured a full two-year term after winning a special election earlier this year to replace Eric Swalwell, and the Associated Press called her race Friday evening. Republicans also won New York's 21st District, Colorado's 3rd, Arizona's 5th and 8th, and North Carolina's 8th Districts, while Democrat Scott Wiener won California's 11th District.
Timeline
Tuesday: Midterm elections held with substantial Democratic gains.
Friday evening: Associated Press called the California 14th District race.
Jan. 3: Newly elected Congress convenes.
Political Context
Like the 2018 midterms, when Democrats also gained House control during a Republican presidency, the 2026 results show the president's party losing ground in the first midterm of a term. Republicans will lose the majorities they held in both chambers during Trump's first two years of his second term.
The change in House control will determine which party sets the agenda and schedules votes in the next Congress. Readers following federal policy should expect shifts in committee leadership and legislative priorities beginning in January.
The takeaway
Midterm results can quickly reshape which party controls federal priorities, so tracking committee assignments in January will show how the new majority plans to act. Readers can follow the outcome of the remaining undecided races for the full picture of congressional control.
What happens next
The newly elected Congress will convene on Jan. 3, when the House and Senate begin their new terms.
Further reading
For broader background on how party control shifts across Congress, explore Political Parties.
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