Democrats seize control of Congress and Pacific Northwest governorships

The midterm elections of November 3, 2026, have resulted in a decisive shift in national power, with Democrats securing majorities in both the U.S. House and Senate. As of 4 p.m. EST on November 6, the Associated Press reported that Democrats have won at least 43 House seats and seven Senate seats, all of which were previously held by Republicans. This outcome grants Democrats a majority of at least 250 to 157 in the House and 54 to 44 in the Senate. The net loss of seven Senate seats for the Republican Party places this election among the top 20% of election years in terms of seat swings against a president’s party, a threshold often defined as a wave election.

For readers in the Pacific Northwest, the results carry immediate implications for state leadership. Democrats have won a plurality of state government trifectas and a majority of governorships for the first time since before the 2010 elections. In Washington state, where polls closed at 8 p.m. and no races for Senate or governor were on the ballot, the state’s legislative dynamics will be influenced by the national trend. Oregon, which held polls from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., saw an open seat for both Senate and governor. The national data indicates that Democrats have won 22 of the 36 gubernatorial races called so far, with five of those changes in party control moving from Republicans to Democrats.

In Oregon, the open governor’s race fits into this broader pattern of Democratic gains in state executive offices. The state also had an open Senate seat, contributing to the seven Senate seats flipped by Democrats nationwide. Hawaii, where polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m., also held an open governor’s race. The incumbent, Joshua Green, was on the ballot. The results show that Democrats have maintained or expanded their hold on state executive power in the region, with no Republican governorship changes reported in the initial tallies for these specific Pacific states.

Idigo and Alaska present a different picture, maintaining Republican control in key executive and legislative races. In Idaho, polls were open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with incumbent Jim Risch seeking re-election for Senate and incumbent Brad Little running for governor. The national results show that Republicans have won 12 of the 36 gubernatorial races called, and Idaho remains a state where Republican candidates have retained significant ground. The state’s legislative chambers are part of the 16 Republican trifectas reported nationally, suggesting that the state government remains aligned with the Republican Party despite the national wave.

Alaska, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., featured an open Senate race with incumbent Dan S. Sullivan on the ballot and an open governor’s race. The data indicates that Republicans have won 10 of the 34 attorney general races and 11 of the 33 secretary of state races nationwide. In Alaska, the retention of Republican power in the governor’s race aligns with the party’s stronger performance in the West compared to the East. The state’s legislative control is part of the 16 Republican trifectas, indicating that the state maintains a unified Republican government in the executive and legislative branches.

The national shift has profound consequences for the administration of President Donald Trump, who is currently navigating a period of major transition. The historic wins by Democratic candidates, including in areas that Republicans had held for decades, have led to the GOP losing control of both chambers of Congress. This loss is expected to complicate the administration’s ability to pass its legislative agenda and may lead to increased scrutiny of executive actions. The President has responded to these developments by reshaping his inner circle, a move that signals a determination to continue his policy priorities despite the electoral setback.

President Trump announced on Friday that he was replacing his longtime adviser Susie Wiles with aide Stephen Miller to serve as the next White House chief of staff. Miller is known as the architect of the administration’s hard-line immigration policies and is among the most determined of Trump’s inner circle. This shake-up follows a brief but tumultuous week when Trump tried out a new press secretary in Katie Zacharia, who left the job after five days. The post had been vacant since Karoline Leavitt left at the end of August, and Trump remains without a chief spokesperson as of the latest reports.

In a further sign of the administration’s unconventional approach, President Trump said Saturday that he has offered the job of White House press secretary to UFC boss Dana White. Trump posted on social media that he made the offer to White, describing him as a violent fighter and warrior. The White House did not immediately confirm the offer, and a spokesperson for UFC did not respond to messages seeking comment. White, who is in London for a boxing event, shared an image of Trump’s post on Instagram, along with an image of himself standing behind the podium in the White House press briefing room with the words On to the next chapter.

The election results also highlight the changing landscape of state legislative control. Democrats have won 46 and Republicans 39 of the 88 state legislative chambers on the ballot, with one going to a bipartisan coalition. Twelve of these chambers changed party control, all to Democrats. This shift in legislative power at the state level will likely influence the implementation of state policies, including those related to infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The Pacific Northwest states, with their strong Democratic leanings in the governor’s races, are expected to see increased alignment with federal Democratic priorities in the coming years.