Election Night 2026 delivered major victories across the country, including a political earthquake in Texas. From statewide races to the fight for control of Congress, voters sent a message that is already reshaping the national conversation.
Texas: A historic change at the top
Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, ending the GOP’s 32-year hold on the Texas governor’s office. Abbott conceded Tuesday night. Hinojosa’s victory marks a major break in Texas politics.
Democrat James Talarico also defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race. The Associated Press reported that Talarico’s win makes him the first Democrat elected to statewide office in Texas in more than 30 years.
Senate races: Democrats make major gains
- North Carolina: Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, flipping a Republican-held Senate seat.
- Georgia: Jon Ossoff won reelection, defeating Republican Mike Collins.
- New Hampshire: Chris Pappas defeated former Sen. John Sununu in the race to replace retiring Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.
- South Carolina: Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, becoming the state’s first woman elected to the U.S. Senate and its first Democratic senator in more than two decades.
- Illinois: Democrat Juliana Stratton won the seat being vacated by Sen. Dick Durbin.
- Florida: Republican Ashley Moody won the Senate election to complete the term Marco Rubio left when he became secretary of state.
Governors: History made
- Georgia: Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson, becoming the first Black woman elected governor in U.S. history.
- Ohio: Democrat Amy Acton defeated Republican Vivek Ramaswamy.
- Florida: Republican Byron Donalds won the governor’s race, becoming the state’s first Black governor.
- New Mexico: Democrat Deb Haaland won the governor’s race, becoming the first Native American woman elected governor in the United States.
- Maryland: Gov. Wes Moore won reelection.
What happened in the House?
Democrats are projected to take control of the U.S. House, putting the party in position to change the chamber’s leadership, committee control and oversight agenda. Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to become speaker if the majority is finalized. The full list of House winners is still being updated as individual districts are called.
Among the House winners called in early AP race updates were Chris Deluzio in Pennsylvania’s 17th District, Mark Pocan in Wisconsin’s 2nd, Jonathan Jackson in Illinois’ 1st, Rashida Tlaib in Michigan’s 12th, Sarah McBride in Delaware’s at-large district, and Christian Menefee in Texas’ 18th District. These are examples of called races, not a complete House roster.
Why these results matter
These victories could reshape the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. If Democrats finalize control of the House and make further Senate gains, they will have greater power to investigate the administration, challenge its agenda and influence which legislation moves forward.
And Texas deserves its own moment in this story. A Democratic governor and a Democratic U.S. senator represent a historic break from decades of Republican statewide dominance. That is not a small shift.
Results note: This is a roundup of major races called or reported by the sources below, not a certified list of every federal, state and local winner. Some House and down-ballot contests remain subject to updated calls and official canvass. We will update the roundup as additional results are confirmed.
Sources
- Houston Chronicle: Gina Hinojosa wins Texas governor’s race; Abbott concedes
- Associated Press: Talarico defeats Paxton; Andrews wins in South Carolina
- Associated Press coverage: Cooper, Ossoff and Pappas wins
- The Guardian: 2026 midterm election results and major winners
- Fox News/AP: U.S. House race calls
- The Texas Tribune: Texas live election results
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