Key Midterm Races Remain Undecided as Democrats Expand Lead
Democrats are set to take control of both chambers of Congress, but ballots still being counted could determine the size of their gains. In the Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska, Democratic candidates Scott Colom and Mary Peltola held narrow leads over Republican incumbents Cindy Hyde-Smith and Dan Sullivan. More ballots remain to be counted in both states; Mississippi’s count includes provisional and late-arriving mail ballots, while some Alaska ballots must be brought in from remote areas.
Several House contests also remained close. In Colorado, Republican Lauren Boebert trailed Democrat Eileen Laubacher with 7% of votes left to count. Republican Scott DesJarlais trailed Democrat Victoria Broderick in Tennessee, while Arizona Republican Eli Crane led Democrat Jonathan Nez by fewer than 4,000 votes. Democrats had flipped 40 House seats, and seven more races were considered potential Democratic gains.
In California, Proposition 40 would levy 5% of the wealth held by the state’s roughly 200 billionaires, as a one-off charge. Supporters say it could raise $100 billion for health care and education. More votes had been cast against the measure than for it, with 61% counted as of November 5, 2026. Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the proposal.
Los Angeles City Council member Nithya Raman defeated Mayor Karen Bass, becoming the city’s first Asian American mayor. In Kansas, Democrat Cindy Holscher held a small lead over Republican Ty Masterson in the governor’s race. The remaining vote counts will determine the outcomes of the close contests and the final scale of the Democratic gains.
Voters Deliver a Broad Rebuke to Trump as Counts Continue
The midterm results point to a sweeping Democratic victory, with the party set to take control of both chambers and holding leads in close Senate races in Mississippi and Alaska. Scott Colom was narrowly ahead of Republican incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith, while Mary Peltola led Republican Dan Sullivan. The remaining ballots could decide how much further Democrats extend their majority.
Democratic gains were also within reach in several House contests. Colorado Republican Lauren Boebert, a well-known supporter of President Donald Trump, trailed Democrat Eileen Laubacher with 7% of votes left to count. Democrat Victoria Broderick led Republican Scott DesJarlais in Tennessee, while Republican Eli Crane held a narrow lead in Arizona. Democrats had flipped 40 House seats, with seven more races viewed as possible gains.
California voters were considering Proposition 40, which would charge 5% of the wealth held by the state’s roughly 200 billionaires as a one-off tax. Supporters say it would raise $100 billion for health care and education. The measure had become a point of disagreement among Democrats, as Governor Gavin Newsom opposed it; more votes were against it than for it as of November 5, 2026, with 61% counted.
Raman’s win as Los Angeles mayor adds to progressive victories, and makes her the city’s first Asian American mayor. In Kansas, Democrat Cindy Holscher held a small lead in the governor’s race. The unresolved contests will show whether voters’ rejection of Trump and his movement translates into an even larger Democratic majority.
Democratic Wave Leaves Close Races and Costly Tax Proposal in Play
Democrats’ midterm victories are poised to give them control of both chambers of Congress, with the remaining counts determining the extent of the party’s gains. Republican incumbents Cindy Hyde-Smith in Mississippi and Dan Sullivan in Alaska trailed Democratic challengers Scott Colom and Mary Peltola, respectively, as more ballots remained to be counted.
Republicans also faced tight House contests. Lauren Boebert trailed Democrat Eileen Laubacher in Colorado with 7% of votes left to count, and Scott DesJarlais trailed Democrat Victoria Broderick in Tennessee. Republican Eli Crane led Democrat Jonathan Nez in Arizona by fewer than 4,000 votes. Democrats had flipped 40 seats, while seven additional races were considered potential gains for the party.
California’s Proposition 40 would require a 5% payment based on the wealth of roughly 200 billionaires in the state. Supporters say it could raise $100 billion for health care and education, but the proposal has divided Democrats: Governor Gavin Newsom opposes it. More voters had rejected the measure than supported it, with 61% of votes counted as of November 5, 2026.
Nithya Raman, a democratic socialist on the Los Angeles City Council, defeated Mayor Karen Bass and will become the city’s first Asian American mayor. In Kansas, Democrat Cindy Holscher held a small lead over Republican Ty Masterson. With votes still outstanding, the close results will determine how much power Democrats gain and whether Republicans can limit their losses.
Reported by BBC US & Canada, PBS NewsHour.
