Democrats projected to win control of US Senate from Republicans, AP projections show

Democrats are projected to win control of the US Senate from Republicans after the 3 November 2026 midterm elections. Deutsche Welle (DW) and Al Jazeera attributed the projection to the Associated Press (AP). TASS, citing Bloomberg, also reported Democratic control.

DW and Al Jazeera both reported that Democrats flipped three Republican seats. James Talarico won in Texas. Annie Andrews won in South Carolina. Adam Hamilton, a megachurch pastor, defeated Republican Senator Roger Marshall in Kansas. It is the first Democratic Senate win in Kansas since 1932.

What is reported

According to Al Jazeera, Democrats have secured at least 51 seats, enough for a majority, with a handful of races still being counted. They needed a net gain of four seats. In the outgoing Congress, Republicans hold 53 seats, Democrats hold 45, and two independents caucus with Democrats.

Al Jazeera also reported that Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley in North Carolina and that Sherrod Brown defeated Republican Senator Jon Husted in Ohio. Both results flipped seats. DW said Democrats flipped seats in at least six states.

In Maine, Republican Senator Susan Collins conceded defeat to Democrat Troy Jackson, according to local media and AP as cited by DW. AP had not called the race when DW reported it. With two-thirds of the vote counted, projections showed Jackson at 52.4% and Collins at 47.5%.

DW reported that Democrats are on course to win the House of Representatives and won governor races in Ohio and Georgia. It also said exit polls show widespread discontent and disapproval of President Donald Trump.

What each side says

Trump told Fox News: "I'm a little bit surprised." He said Iran was part of the reason for the result. According to DW, he suggested voters were unwilling to accept a short-term rise in gasoline prices. DW also reported that he said he could cooperate with Democrats on issues including immigration, but would veto proposals he opposed.

In his victory speech, Hamilton said, according to Al Jazeera: "First of all, I think the people in Kansas – Republicans, independents and Democrats – were saying what’s happening in Washington is not OK."

Fraud claims checked

A viral X post claimed that more than 20,000 fraudulent ballots were found in an FBI raid in Houston. A Houston FBI public affairs officer told AFP: "That information is false and no election-related operation occurred."

The Maine Wire alleged a coordinated scheme to steal an election, sharing video of a man assisting voters. DW said that, if the video is authentic, nothing shown appears to be illegal. Maine law permits such assistance in certain cases.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include a final Senate tally or a full list of uncounted races, though DW identified Maine's count as incomplete. They also do not make clear whether the 51 seats include independents.

Analysis

If the projections hold, and if Democrats also win the House, Congress and the White House would be led by opposing parties. Trump's remarks suggest two possible paths: vetoes followed by negotiation, or cooperation on issues such as immigration. Neither outcome is assured. The causes of the result also remain unsettled. Trump pointed to Iran and gasoline prices, Hamilton to discontent with Washington, and exit polls to disapproval of the president. None of these alone establishes why voters acted as they did. Remaining counts, including in Maine, could still change the size of the majority.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.