Democrats Expand House Majority to 253 Seats
Democrats expand House majority to 253 seats in the 435-member House, compared with 157 for Republicans, as more results emerged from Tuesday’s midterm elections, US media reported on Friday. Twenty-five races were still uncalled as of 09:22 GMT on Friday.
The party also secured control of the Senate, with Democrats and two independents who caucus with them holding a combined 54 seats, compared with 44 for Republicans. Two Senate races remained undecided.
Democrats also held a 28-20 advantage in governorships, with contests in Alaska and Kansas still too close to call, according to US media reports.
Democrats expand House majority by flipping Republican seats
In New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Zack Mullock defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Van Drew, securing 50.8 per cent of the vote against 48.2 per cent, with 97 per cent of ballots counted.
In New York’s 17th District, Democrat Cait Conley unseated Republican incumbent Mike Lawler with 52.8 per cent of the vote. The Associated Press called the race at 2.12 am EST on Friday.
Democrat Kristina Knickerbocker also defeated Republican incumbent Mike Turner in Ohio’s 10th District, winning 49.3 per cent of the vote against 47.7 per cent.
In North Carolina’s 9th District, Democrat Richard N Ojeda II defeated Republican incumbent Richard Hudson with 51.1 per cent of the vote, with 99 per cent of ballots counted.
Democrats also flipped Republican-held seats in Colorado and Arizona. Jessica Killin defeated Republican incumbent Jeff Crank in Colorado’s 5th District with 50.5 per cent of the vote, while JoAnna Mendoza unseated Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani in Arizona’s 6th District with 52.8 per cent, according to results with 89 per cent of ballots counted.
Republicans secure victories in several districts
Republicans also retained or won several House seats.
In Tennessee’s 9th District, Republican Brent Taylor defeated Democrat Justin Pearson, winning 49.6 per cent of the vote against 48.5 per cent, with 99 per cent of ballots counted.
Republican Mike Kennedy won Utah’s 4th District, defeating Democrat Jonny Larsen with 53.2 per cent of the vote.
In Washington’s 4th District, Republican Amanda McKinney defeated Democrat John Duresky with 54.7 per cent of the vote.
Republican incumbent Anna Paulina Luna also retained Florida’s 13th District, defeating Democrat Leela Gray with 49.5 per cent of the vote against 48.7 per cent.
What the result means for Trump
The scale of the Democratic win matters because it decides who controls the committees that can investigate the Trump administration. Democrats have already promised to investigate Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and his handling of the Pentagon, including the Iran war that Vice President JD Vance said cost Republicans control of Congress.
The elections also produced firsts that Feature Pakistan has already covered. New York elected its first Muslim mayor, while Abdul El-Sayed became the first Muslim US senator.
The vote count is not over. With 25 House races still uncalled and two Senate races undecided, the final margins could still move. But the direction is clear: voters punished Republicans over the Iran war, prices and the cost of living, and handed Democrats control of Congress.
Markets have felt the same mood. A rout in Asian technology stocks followed the midterm results, as investors weighed what a Democratic Congress means for technology spending and the AI boom.
The new Congress takes its seats next year. Until then, the lame-duck session will test whether the two parties can agree on spending, including the Pentagon’s $1.5 trillion funding request, before Democrats take the gavels.
How many House seats have Democrats won?
Democrats have secured 253 seats in the 435-member House, against 157 for Republicans, with 25 races still uncalled.
Who controls the Senate?
Democrats and two independents who caucus with them hold a combined 54 seats, against 44 for Republicans, with two races undecided.
Which seats did Democrats flip?
Democrats flipped Republican-held seats in New Jersey, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado and Arizona, unseating incumbents including Jeff Van Drew, Mike Lawler, Mike Turner and Juan Ciscomani.
When does the new Congress take over?
The new Congress takes its seats next year, when Democrats will take control of the House and Senate committees.
