Democratic Party gains US House majority in 2026 midterm elections

The Democratic Party has regained control of the lower chamber of the United States Congress, winning the House of Representatives. Democrats needed to gain five seats to flip the chamber. Republicans have held a majority in the House since the 2022 midterms, during the presidency of Democrat Joe Biden.

All 435 seats in the House were up for grabs in the election. A term in the House lasts only two years, compared with six for the Senate. The Democrats’ victory in the House means their party leader in the chamber, Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, will likely be selected as the speaker, the chamber’s top officer.

That position would make Jeffries the third in line for the US presidency, should the president and the vice president be removed from office. He would also be the first Black person to serve in the role. He will replace outgoing Republican Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, who has held the post since 2023.