Democrats Take Early Senate Leads in 2026 Midterms, Flipping North Carolina Seat
Early results from the 2026 U.S. midterm elections show Democrats winning Senate races in North Carolina, New Hampshire, Georgia and leading in Virginia, while exit polls indicate voter dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump.
Early returns from the 2026 midterm elections show Democrats gaining Senate seats in several key states. In North Carolina, Democrat Roy Cooper defeated Republican Michael Whatley, securing 66.8% of the vote with 56% of ballots counted, according to CBS News. The win flips the seat for the party.
In New Hampshire, Democrat Chris Pappas led Republican John Sununu with 60.4% of the vote after 20% of ballots were counted. Georgia incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff retained his seat, holding 63.4% of the vote with 57% of votes reported. In Virginia, Democrat Mark Warner maintained a lead over Republican Bert Mizusawa, holding 58.1% of the vote with 44% counted.
Exit polls conducted by SSRS for a consortium of U.S. media outlets found that roughly half of voters viewed the midterms as a chance to rebuke President Donald Trump, and three-quarters expressed anger or dissatisfaction with the country’s direction. Nearly nine in ten respondents said the cost of living was a major factor in their voting decision.
Democrats also see an advantage in the House of Representatives, while both parties remain competitive in Senate contests across the nation. Texas remains a closely watched battleground, with Democrat James Talarico showing early strength in traditionally Republican Tarrant County.
President Trump urged supporters to "pretend I'm on the ballot," a message echoed by Democratic leaders who framed the election as a judgment on his administration’s policies.