On 3 November 2026, Americans voted in the midterm elections — and the results redrew the political map. The Democratic Party won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, according to Associated Press race calls. A new Congress takes office on 3 January 2027, and the campaigns for the next big prize — the 2028 presidential election — are already stirring. In Europe, a different kind of campaign is taking shape: housing and workers' movements from seven countries are joining forces. This page explains what is happening, what each side is actually saying, and what to watch next — without taking sides.
The result that changed everything
The Associated Press called the Senate for the Democrats late on election night, when Iowa's open seat went Democratic, and called the House at about 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday 4 November, when the party crossed the 218 seats needed for a majority. Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats — Iowa, Kansas, Maine, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Texas — and lost none of their own. As of 5 November, the AP had called 222 House seats for Democrats and 138 for Republicans, with 75 districts still counting, and at least 54 Senate seats for Democrats. Two Senate races were still uncalled: Alaska, and Mississippi, where Democrat Scott Colom led Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 1,138 votes with 96% of the expected vote counted.
Two Senate results stood out. In Texas, state legislator James Talarico defeated Attorney General Ken Paxton — the first Democrat to win a Texas Senate seat since 1988, in the most expensive Senate race of the cycle. In Maine, Troy Jackson defeated longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins. Democrats also won 22 of the 34 governor's races decided on the night.
The new Congress: what changes on 3 January 2027
The 120th Congress convenes on 3 January 2027. Until then, the current Republican-held Congress stays in place. When the new Congress is sworn in, the United States will have divided government: a Republican president, Donald Trump, facing Democratic majorities in both chambers for the final two years of his term. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to seek the speaker's gavel.
What that means in practice: the new Democratic majorities will be able to set the House and Senate agendas, hold hearings and investigations, and block or reshape the president's legislative plans. The president keeps the veto. Both parties will be negotiating — and arguing — over spending, health care, immigration and the economy. None of this is settled yet: final seat totals were still being counted on 5 November, and states certify their official results in the weeks after an election.
The 2028 race: the earliest moves
No major candidate has formally announced a 2028 presidential run yet, but the early jockeying has started — and it is already making headlines.
Ro Khanna — groundwork reported
Allies of California Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna are laying the groundwork for the progressive lawmaker to launch a 2028 presidential bid, according to reporting after the midterms. Khanna himself has not announced a campaign. He is a prominent voice on the party's left, known for his work on technology and economic policy.
Marco Rubio — speculation denied
Reports suggested Secretary of State Marco Rubio was weighing leaving the Trump administration to prepare a presidential campaign. A State Department official called that report "completely baseless fake news." Rubio has not announced any campaign, and the administration has denied the story.
JD Vance — the post-mortem
Vice President JD Vance's public response to the midterm losses has fed speculation about his own future plans, with commentators debating what the result means for his standing in the party. Vance has not announced a 2028 campaign. As vice president, he is widely discussed as a possible future candidate — but that is discussion, not an announcement.
The honest picture: 2028 is still two years away. Expect formal announcements to begin in 2027. Until then, treat every name as speculation — including the three above.
Europe: a cross-border movement is forming
In Europe, the trending political story is not a single party but a movement. Housing organisations, trade unions and activist groups from seven countries — France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece — met in Paris this week and issued a joint call for coordinated demonstrations. Their focus: housing affordability, workers' rights and social justice.
Commentators are asking whether these groups could grow into a more structured, Europe-wide political force that influences upcoming elections and policy debates. That is speculation for now — but the coordination itself is real, and housing costs are a top voter concern across the continent. Watch for the dates of the planned demonstrations and whether any established parties pick up the housing message.
What to watch next
- 10 November: House Republicans hold leadership elections — the first test of how the party reorganises after the losses.
- Alaska and Mississippi: the two uncalled Senate races. Alaska may be decided by a ranked-choice count on 18 November; Mississippi has no recount mechanism, so the narrow Colom lead will stand or fall on the remaining count.
- Certification: states certify final results over the coming weeks — final seat totals will move a little from the AP calls.
- 3 January 2027: the new Congress is sworn in; the speaker's election is the first big vote.
- 2027: formal 2028 presidential announcements begin.
🔗 See also
Frequently asked questions
Who won the 2026 US midterm elections?
The Democratic Party won control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the 3 November 2026 midterm elections, according to Associated Press race calls. Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats and crossed the 218 seats needed for a House majority.
When does the new Congress take office?
The 120th Congress convenes on 3 January 2027. Until then, the current Congress stays in place. The change takes effect in January, not on election night.
Who will be the next Speaker of the House?
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to seek the speaker's gavel when the new Congress convenes in January 2027. The speaker is elected by the House itself, so it is not final until the vote.
Has anyone announced a 2028 presidential run?
No. As of 7 November 2026, no major candidate has formally announced a 2028 presidential campaign. Allies of Ro Khanna are reported to be laying groundwork, and Marco Rubio and JD Vance are discussed as possible candidates — but none has announced.
What happened in the Mississippi Senate race?
The race was still uncalled on 5 November 2026: Democrat Scott Colom led Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith by about 1,138 votes with 96% of the expected vote counted. Mississippi has no recount mechanism.
What is Europe's housing movement?
Housing organisations, trade unions and activist groups from seven European countries — France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece — met in Paris and called for coordinated demonstrations on housing affordability, workers' rights and social justice.
What does divided government mean for the US?
It means a Republican president facing Democratic majorities in both chambers of Congress. The new majorities can set the legislative agenda and hold hearings, while the president keeps the veto — so the two sides must negotiate on spending, health care, immigration and the economy.
Are the midterm results final?
Not yet. The figures quoted here are Associated Press race calls as of 5 November 2026, with some races still counting. States certify their official results in the weeks after an election, and final seat totals may move slightly.
Sources
- Associated Press — 2026 election results and balance of power
- AP race calls via Political.org — 2026 midterm results explained
- Reuters — US politics coverage
Figures are reported results and sales data as of 7 November 2026; official counts are certified by states in the weeks after an election. Prices are launch prices in US dollars unless stated — check the manufacturer's site for today's price.