Where Democrats scored major gains in the 2026 midterms: Inside the most decisive election results

Senate Battlegrounds Shift

Democrats were projected to win 10 of the 11 Senate races CBS News considered battlegrounds. Alaska remained a toss-up as votes were counted. The Mississippi contest was also rated a toss-up, with Scott Colom leading incumbent Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith by 43 votes.

In South Carolina, Democrat Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. Andrews, a 45-year-old pediatrician, centered her campaign on healthcare access and affordability. The state had not elected a Democratic senator in nearly 30 years, and Donald Trump won it by 18 points in 2024.

Texas And Georgia Breakthroughs

In Texas, Democrat Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton in the state’s most expensive Senate race. Talarico’s campaign emphasized corruption and lowering costs. He said on CBS Mornings that the result told Elon Musk, who spent heavily in the race, that “Texas is not for sale.”

Paxton had Trump’s backing after the president endorsed him over Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary. Paxton defeated Cornyn in a May runoff. He had also faced controversies and a 2023 impeachment by the state House over allegations of bribery, obstruction of justice and abuse of trust; the state Senate acquitted him.

In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson and Libertarian Chase Oliver, CBS News projected. The former Atlanta mayor and Biden administration senior adviser will be the nation’s first Black woman governor. She said on CBS Mornings that she was surprised the race was called so early on election night.

Other Senate Races

In Michigan, Democrat El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers, keeping the seat in Democratic hands. The state had been viewed as Republicans’ best opportunity to flip a Senate seat. El-Sayed said in a Fox News interview last month that he had “never been a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.”

The Michigan race saw a late shift when Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who had sought the party’s Senate nomination, endorsed Rogers and appeared with him at a Detroit church on Sunday.

In Maine, Jackson defeated Republican Sen. Susan Collins, the only Republican seeking reelection in a state Kamala Harris won in 2024. Jackson, a fifth-generation logger, entered the contest after Graham Platner withdrew following allegations of sexual misconduct. Jackson previously led the Maine Senate and had unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination for governor.

House Gains Across States

Democrats swept the most competitive seats in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Redistricting helped the party win California’s 1st District and Utah’s 1st District. Although redistricting was expected to hurt Democrats in Texas’ 15th and 23rd districts, the party won both in upsets. Democrats also flipped open seats in Kentucky’s 6th District, Nebraska’s 2nd District and North Carolina’s 11th District.

In Texas, state lawmaker Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, becoming the first Democrat to win the governor’s office in more than 30 years. Hinojosa will be the state’s third woman governor.