Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff won re-election in Georgia, securing a critical victory as polls closed across the United States in the 2026 midterm elections.
Democrats Need Gains to Secure Majority
The path to a Democratic majority requires a net gain of four seats in the Senate and three in the House of Representatives. CNN’s poll of polls indicated that Democrats held a nine-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot as the day began. While the results in Georgia provide momentum, the balance of power remains in flux as votes are tallied in states including North Carolina, Ohio, and South Carolina. Prediction markets on the afternoon of the election implied a 94 percent chance that Democrats would take the House and a 74 percent chance they would win the Senate, according to data from the analytics firm BetInt.
Ossoff’s victory over Republican Rep. Mike Collins represents a significant retention for Democrats within one of the nation’s most evenly split battleground states. During the campaign, Ossoff tied Collins to President Trump’s low approval rating. The race was marked by heated personal attacks, with Ossoff accusing Collins of hiring staff with ties to white nationalism and Collins criticizing Ossoff’s campaign contributions from billionaire Reid Hoffman.
In New Hampshire, Democratic candidate Chris Pappas won an open Senate seat. In Maine, Republican Sen. Susan Collins is defending her seat against Democrat Troy Jackson in a state won by Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024.
Economic Pressures Dominate Midterm Elections
Economic pressures dominated the midterm elections. About 4 in 10 voters identified the economy as the most important issue facing the country, while 3 in 10 pointed to democracy, with these figures far exceeding concerns about crime, health care, or immigration.
NEW: We just spoke exclusively with Congresswoman Haley Stevens at a polling place in Birmingham Michigan as she came to cast her ballot for Republican Mike Rogers. She told us she’s here to vote with her mother and that she still believes Democrats will win the majority, “It's… pic.twitter.com/5yhgrS56pq
Election day operations faced localized disruptions. In Florida, flooding forced officials to relocate at least 19 polling stations, while heavy rainfall impacted turnout in four southwestern states. Despite these challenges, voting went relatively smoothly according to the Associated Press.
Voters expressed a range of perspectives on the national direction. In Detroit, Michigan, Andrew Wu told DW he supported candidate Abdul El-Sayed, noting that it is encouraging to see people making change on the ground. Another voter, Skyler Schmidt, stated: The Republican Party policies have really taken our country backwards. I think the international community sees it. We see it here.
In Texas, voters like 67-year-old Wilson Ihonvbere highlighted the economic situation, noting that the high cost of living did not match what was promised.
The Path to Final Results
The timeline for final outcomes remains uncertain due to variations in state laws regarding mail-in and provisional ballots. Counting more than 100 million ballots takes time, and results in some states are expected to be reported faster than others. While some results may arrive within hours, others could take days.
President Trump, speaking to CBS News before polls closed, signaled his intent to use his executive authority if the legislative balance shifts. I have the ultimate power – it's called veto,
he said, adding that he did not mind being dubbed “Mr. Veto.” The outcome of these midterms is seen as a major factor in how the final two years of his presidency will play out, with speculation that Democrats may target administration officials for investigations if they secure a majority in the House or Senate.
NEW: I caught up with @chuckschumer voting in Park Slope He is feeling “nauseously optimistic” about Democrats winning the Senate I asked if he is worried they may lose Michigan over Haley Stevens, who Schumer initially endorsed “The bottom line is very simple. She's one vote”
Earlier coverage: Voters head to the polls for US midterm elections
The Cook Political Report is issuing its final Senate ratings of the 2026 midterm cycle. The Michigan Senate race moves from Toss Up to Lean Democrat. Read @JessicaTaylor's full analysis and what else she'll be watching on Election Night:https://t.co/rM2ndWQuu3
More on Jon Ossoff
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Blogged about NYT/Siena. I think we've "crossed the threshold." Polls project that Dems will win the Senate. They might be wrong, but that's what they project. No hiding from it tbh. pic.twitter.com/TAn71UVSc1
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