Democrats made sweeping gains in the 2026 elections, taking control of both chambers of Congress and shifting the balance in state governments across the country.
By Wednesday evening, State Navigate had counted at least 11 state legislative chambers that changed from Republican to Democratic control. Democrats also gained six new governing trifectas, where one party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers, while Republicans lost five.
Republicans lost majorities in the Arizona House and Senate, the Georgia House, the Michigan House, both chambers in New Hampshire, the North Carolina House, the Pennsylvania Senate, the Texas House, and both chambers of Wisconsin’s legislature.
Democrats now hold supermajorities in the Colorado House and Senate, the Delaware House, the Maine Senate, the Nevada Assembly, the New Hampshire House, the New Mexico House, the New York Senate, and both chambers in Vermont. Hundreds of races were still outstanding, but the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee said 483 state legislative seats had changed hands by Thursday afternoon.
Many of the Democratic gains came in districts Donald Trump carried in 2024, State Navigate noted.
Five governorships also switched from Republican to Democratic control: Georgia, Iowa, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas. The number of Democratic governors is expected to rise from 24 to 30, while Republicans are projected to hold 20 governorships, down from 26.
State Navigate executive director Chaz Nuttycombe attributed most of the results to economic concerns and dissatisfaction with the president. He said those issues likely accounted for roughly 80% to 85% of the shift, with frustration toward state government and elected officials making up much of the rest. Republican incumbents, he added, faced particularly strong discontent.
