Voters Decide Control of Congress in 2026 Midterms as Republicans Defend Narrow Majorities
Photo: The Guardian USUS voters go to the polls Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections that will decide control of Congress midway through President Donald Trump's second term. All 435 House seats are on the ballot, along with 35 of the 100 Senate seats (33 regular contests and special elections in Florida and Ohio) and numerous governorships. Republicans hold both chambers. In the House their majority is 218-214, with one independent and two vacancies, and Democrats need net gains to take control. Inflation, immigration and the administration's performance are cited as key issues. In Texas, Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton faces Democratic state Rep. James Talarico for the seat of outgoing Republican Sen. John Cornyn, while Gov. Greg Abbott seeks a fourth term against Democratic state Rep. Gina Hinojosa. In New York, four battleground House races are in focus; Republicans won four seats there in 2022. State Democratic chair Jay Jacobs predicted a comfortable Democratic House win with Hakeem Jeffries as speaker, and Republican chair Ed Cox called the state important. A Democratic House could launch investigations and demand documents and testimony, and a Democratic Senate could block or delay appointments.
The right-leaning New York Post and Fox News treat the vote as a map of contests. Fox lists nine key states, calls Senate control a coin flip in its power rankings, and features the Texas races and candidate Michele Tafoya. The Post centers on New York's four battlegrounds, quoting party chairs Jacobs and Cox and recalling the 2022 Republican gains. Neither leads with what a Democratic majority could do. The left-leaning Guardian and New York Times look at consequences and standing. The Guardian asks what Democrats could do with Congress, citing investigations, possible impeachment pressure and Senate confirmation power. The Times headline asks who is winning, and only a short excerpt was available. Both sides agree that control of Congress is at stake and Republicans are defending majorities, but they differ on emphasis: the right on specific races and party leaders, the left on the effects of a Democratic win. The Hindu and Times of India offer explainers on the process.
How the sides differ Right sources stress battleground races and candidates; left sources focus on what Democratic control would mean for Trump; alternative sources offer explainers on how the elections work.
Headline, comparison and summary written by AI from the articles below. AI can make mistakes, so check the original articles before relying on a detail.
- The New York TimesPaywallMidterm Elections: Who Is Winning the Race for Congress?
The Guardian explains what Democrats could do with a House or Senate majority, including investigations, impeachment pressure and confirmation power. The New York Times frames the race as a state-of-play look at who is winning.
- The Times of IndiaUS midterm elections 2026: What they are, why they matter and when results will be out
The Hindu and Times of India run explainers on what midterms are, how House and Senate seats are chosen, the November 3 date and the key issues.
Fox News lists critical races across nine states, including the Texas contests, while the New York Post focuses on four New York House battlegrounds, quoting Democratic and Republican state chairs.