As of 6 a.m., the Senate has 54 Democrats to 44 Republicans, the House has 228 Democrats to 139 Republicans, and there are 28 Democratic governors to 20 Republicans, according to The Associated Press.
Since World War II, the House and Senate have flipped from one party to the other in the same midterm just four times: 1946, 1994, 2006 and 2026, says AP.
Robert Reich concludes his Substack post this morning, “Thanks to all of you who have worked so damned hard to help bring about today’s extraordinary victory. Our democracy worked. It held. Congratulations, all.”
Paul Krugman says, “What happened last night was no ordinary election. It was a mass affirmation that most Americans still believe in our nation’s basic values, and a mass rejection of a movement that wants to destroy everything our nation stands for.”
Heather Cox Richardson’s post just says “Election Day,” and shows a photo of the sun reflecting on the water where she lives in coastal Maine.
Even President Trump was surprisingly serene in at least some of his comments on election night. He told Fox News anchor Bret Baier: “It’s just a point in time, Bret. Just a point in time. It’s the way it is. There was a mood in the air, I guess.”
Trump also told Fox News that Democrats “did a good job” in their campaigns, and he blamed GOP candidates for their losses. He said, “I don’t view it as a hit on me.”
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump said he was “absolutely willing” to accept the results of the elections and was prepared to work with Democrats. “We’ll, you know, look forward to working with them.”
Top election lawyer Marc Elias says he’s continuing to be on the lookout for election interference. But he also points out that “Democrats did not just recapture both chambers. They did it by winning seats that Republicans gerrymandered last year to prevent exactly this result.”
“DEI is back,” says Ro Kanna on X, celebrating the election of minority, Muslim and gay governors and senators.
And as far as the billionaire money that was poured into races for naught, former Rep. Barney Frank, who said, “Money is important, but votes will beat money any day,” was proven right yet again.
Voting rights on John Dineen’s briefing.center
“The vote is precious. It is the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society, and we must use it.” — late Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., civil rights activist
Here are regularly updated voting rights resources for the midterm elections.
John’s daily commentary on briefing.center
Here is John’s commentary today, titled “AI and data centers confront a new political landscape.”
Also in the news
Greenland lawmakers approve security deal with Denmark and U.S.
Euronews (EU’s international news channel): What Trump defeat means for Europe and global markets
NYTimes analysis: Voters usher in beginning to the end of the Trump era
Election Day unfolded with relatively few problems, despite worries about Trump election interference
Nine candidates for governor just made history
Georgia Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms is first Black woman ever elected governor
Democrat Gina Hinojosa elected Texas’ first Latina governor, ousting Republican incumbent Greg Abbott
Democrat Deb Haaland elected New Mexico governor, becoming first Native American woman elected governor of any state
Democrat David Crowley defeats Trump loyalist Rep. Tom Tiffany to become Wisconsin’s first Black governor
Nevada Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford defeats GOP incumbent Joe Lombardo to become state’s first Black governor
Progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed wins Michigan Senate race to become first Muslim senator
Republican Rep. Byron Donalds is elected Florida’s first Black governor
Former Sen. Sherrod Brown flips Senate seat in Ohio for Democrats by ousting Sen. Jon Husted
Democrat Josh Turek wins election to Senate from Iowa
Voters back abortion rights and reject Trump redistricting in state ballot measures
After midterm losses, Trump stares down the specter of Democratic investigations and the race to succeed him
AP: Election night in photos
Do you know how AP counts votes and calls races? You can test your knowledge with this quiz
Monarch butterflies get tiny trackers to help scientists understand their migration (you can watch on a free app)
Brain injury made Edward Freytag a musical genius
You can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators. To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Most lawmakers seem to only accept emails from their constituents, but these leaders accept emails from Americans nationwide, at:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer
Senate Majority Leader John Thune