Nov 4, 2026 · 1h 26m
Democrats seize Congress as Texas turns blue
We The People 2026: MS NOW's special midterm elections coverage - Part 2
The election-night results reshape control of Congress while exposing a broader backlash against Republican governance and authoritarian rhetoric.
- 1Democrats flip Senate and gubernatorial seats across the country, including historic victories in Texas and South Carolina.
- 2Black, young, and Native American voters emerge as central forces behind the Democratic wave and its geographic reach.
- 3Control of both congressional chambers could constrain Donald Trump’s legislative, appointment, and judicial agendas.
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The Associated Press calls Democratic victories for James Talarico in the Texas Senate race and Gina Hinojosa in the governor’s race, marking a historic breakthrough.
The brief
The coverage begins with Alabama redistricting and South Carolina’s Senate flip, using Black voters, civil rights, and Republican miscalculations to frame the night’s surprises.
As results accumulate in Ohio, Texas, Michigan, and elsewhere, reporters connect Democratic gains to young and Black voter turnout, candidate quality, and backlash against corruption.
The night’s defining moment arrives when the Associated Press calls James Talarico’s Texas Senate victory and Gina Hinojosa’s gubernatorial win, signaling a historic political realignment.
Democrats’ control of both chambers limits Donald Trump’s ability to pass legislation, confirm nominees, or shape the judiciary, while unresolved races keep the final map in motion.
Peggy Flanagan’s projected Minnesota victory adds a landmark representation story, as the first Native American woman elected to the Senate, amid continued caution over uncalled races.
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