Democrats' 2026 midterm wins bring historic firsts for Black, Native American, and gay candidates

Democrats won control of the US House of Representatives in the November 3, 2026 midterm elections, dealing a major defeat to President Donald Trump and the Republican Party. The Democrats secured more than 218 seats, the threshold for a House majority, according to multiple media reports. The shift in congressional power opens a period of uncertainty for Trump and is expected to slow his agenda during his final two years in office. The election also produced historic firsts, including a Black female governor, a Native American senator, and an openly gay senator, all Democrats from minority backgrounds. The party's sweeping victory was described as a reversal unimaginable a year ago.