US midterms: Red alert for Republicans as Democrats notch stunning flips

US Democrats have recorded major gains in these midterms

Democrats made significant gains in the 2026 US midterm elections, flipping Republican-held seats in the House of Representatives, capturing a key Senate seat in North Carolina and winning the Georgia governorship.The results mark a setback for President Donald Trump's Republican Party, which entered the elections controlling both chambers of Congress and the White House. The gains could reshape the balance of power in Washington for the final two years of Trump's term.

House: Democrats flip six Republican-held seats

Democrats have flipped six Republican-held seats in the US House of Representatives, making gains across four states. The victories include:

1. Pennsylvania's 7th: Bob Brooks defeated Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie.
2. Pennsylvania's 8th: Paige Cognetti defeated Republican incumbent Rob Bresnahan.
3. Pennsylvania's 10th: Janelle Stelson defeated Republican incumbent Scott Perry.
4. New Jersey's 7th: Rebecca Bennett defeated Republican incumbent Thomas Kean Jr.
5. North Carolina's 11th: Jamie Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Capps Balkcom in an open seat previously held by the GOP.
6. Kentucky's 6th: Zach Dembo defeated Republican Ralph Alvarado in an open seat vacated by Andy Barr, who is running for the Senate.

Senate: 2 seats flipped in favour of Democrats

Democrats have flipped two Republican-held Senate seats, winning in North Carolina and South Carolina.

1. North Carolina: Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, flipping the seat held by retiring Republican Senator Thom Tillis.
2. South Carolina: Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Darline Graham, becoming the first Democrat in 28 years to win a Senate seat in the state.

Governor: Democrats flip Georgia governorship

Democrats have flipped one Republican-held governorship so far, with Keisha Lance Bottoms defeating Republican businessman Rick Jackson in Georgia.

1. Georgia: Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson, ending more than two decades of Republican control of the governor's office. She will succeed term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp and become the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.
2. Iowa: Democrat Rob Sand defeated Republican Zach Lahn, ending Republican control of the governor's office. He will succeed Republican Governor Kim Reynolds, who did not seek re-election, and become the state's first Democratic governor since 2011.
3. Georgia: Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms defeated Republican Rick Jackson, ending more than two decades of Republican control of the governor's office. She will succeed term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp and become the first Black woman elected governor of a US state.Convert to PDF