Democrats seize full control of Congress. And, which candidates made history last night

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Democrats have gained full control of Congress for the first time since 2023, flipping both the House and Senate with significant wins in deep red states. Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers in Michigan, and Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins in Maine, winning their states' closely watched Senate seats. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, ending more than 30 years of Republican control, while Democratic state Rep. James Talarico won the U.S. Senate race. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton became the first Democratic senator elected in nearly a century. A record number of candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America were elected to the House, growing the organization's presence on Capitol Hill. Nine states also made history with their gubernatorial picks. Take a look at how key demographics voted.

Here are 6 midterm takeaways from NPR's senior political correspondent Domenico Montanaro:

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind a light pole, on Capitol Hill on June 3, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP hide caption

Cliff Owen/AP

All the signs were pointing in Democrats' direction heading into election night. But nothing indicated quite this level of a romp.

President Trump lashed out early on as results showed Democrats ahead in many key races, but later congratulated the Democrats and said more than once that he would respect the outcome of the elections.

After the Democratic victory in the House, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first Black lawmaker to be elected Speaker. Last night, Jeffries said, "We understand as House Democrats that we need to deliver dramatic change." With a Democratic majority, they'll have the chance to exert more influence in the legislative branch.

Annelise Capossela for NPR

About 1 in 20 Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it typically lasts for nearly 40% of the year. If you're dealing with SAD, you might feel sluggish, depressed and lose interest in activities you once enjoyed. You might also find yourself oversleeping, overeating and gaining weight. As winter approaches, NPR's Life Kit offers advice on recognizing these feelings and finding ways to boost your mood and energy.

For more guidance on how to get through SAD, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.

Construction crews work on houses and other building throughout Kipnuk after ex-typhoon Halong hit Alaska's coast in October of 2025. Gabby Hiestand Salgado/KYUK hide caption

Gabby Hiestand Salgado/KYUK

Typhoon Halong severely impacted small Native villages in Western Alaska last fall, destroying infrastructure and displacing more than a thousand people. A year later, many remain displaced. In Kipnuk — a village of under 200 homes — dozens of houses were swept off their foundations. The community is now mostly scattered across Alaska, and some have relocated far from their ancestral lands. Climate change increases the vulnerability of towns like Kipnuk to future storms. While most residents wish to rebuild the village in a safer location, current FEMA funding only allows for restoring what was damaged. See these photos of the town now, as its people continue to pick up the pieces.

A jumping spider (Salticidae), also known as a flycatcher, is seen in its natural habitat in the Casupo Municipal Park in the city of Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela, on July 27, 2023. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

Read the full story at NPR ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

Democrats have won the House and the Senate, taking full control of Congress for the first time since 2023. And history was made in several states. Here's what happened last night

This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Democrats have gained full control of Congress for the first time since 2023, flipping both the House and Senate with significant wins in deep red states. Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers in Michigan, and Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins in Maine, winning their states' closely watched Senate seats. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, ending more than 30 years of Republican control, while Democratic state Rep. James Talarico won the U.S. Senate race. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton became the first Democratic senator elected in nearly a century. A record number of candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America were elected to the House, growing the organization's presence on Capitol Hill. Nine states also made history with their gubernatorial picks. Take a look at how key demographics voted.

Here are 6 midterm takeaways from NPR's senior political correspondent Domenico Montanaro:

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind a light pole, on Capitol Hill on June 3, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP hide caption

Cliff Owen/AP

All the signs were pointing in Democrats' direction heading into election night. But nothing indicated quite this level of a romp.

President Trump lashed out early on as results showed Democrats ahead in many key races, but later congratulated the Democrats and said more than once that he would respect the outcome of the elections.

After the Democratic victory in the House, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first Black lawmaker to be elected Speaker. Last night, Jeffries said, "We understand as House Democrats that we need to deliver dramatic change." With a Democratic majority, they'll have the chance to exert more influence in the legislative branch.

Annelise Capossela for NPR

About 1 in 20 Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it typically lasts for nearly 40% of the year. If you're dealing with SAD, you might feel sluggish, depressed and lose interest in activities you once enjoyed. You might also find yourself oversleeping, overeating and gaining weight. As winter approaches, NPR's Life Kit offers advice on recognizing these feelings and finding ways to boost your mood and energy.

For more guidance on how to get through SAD, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.

Construction crews work on houses and other building throughout Kipnuk after ex-typhoon Halong hit Alaska's coast in October of 2025. Gabby Hiestand Salgado/KYUK hide caption

Gabby Hiestand Salgado/KYUK

Typhoon Halong severely impacted small Native villages in Western Alaska last fall, destroying infrastructure and displacing more than a thousand people. A year later, many remain displaced. In Kipnuk — a village of under 200 homes — dozens of houses were swept off their foundations. The community is now mostly scattered across Alaska, and some have relocated far from their ancestral lands. Climate change increases the vulnerability of towns like Kipnuk to future storms. While most residents wish to rebuild the village in a safer location, current FEMA funding only allows for restoring what was damaged. See these photos of the town now, as its people continue to pick up the pieces.

A jumping spider (Salticidae), also known as a flycatcher, is seen in its natural habitat in the Casupo Municipal Park in the city of Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela, on July 27, 2023. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

Read the full story at NPR ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

Good morning. You're reading the Up First newsletter. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox, and listen to the Up First podcast for all the news you need to start your day.

Democrats have gained full control of Congress for the first time since 2023, flipping both the House and Senate with significant wins in deep red states. Abdul El-Sayed defeated Mike Rogers in Michigan, and Troy Jackson defeated Susan Collins in Maine, winning their states' closely watched Senate seats. In Texas, Democrat Gina Hinojosa defeated Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, ending more than 30 years of Republican control, while Democratic state Rep. James Talarico won the U.S. Senate race. In Kansas, Adam Hamilton became the first Democratic senator elected in nearly a century. A record number of candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America were elected to the House, growing the organization's presence on Capitol Hill. Nine states also made history with their gubernatorial picks. Take a look at how key demographics voted.

Here are 6 midterm takeaways from NPR's senior political correspondent Domenico Montanaro:

The U.S. Capitol is seen behind a light pole, on Capitol Hill on June 3, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP hide caption

Cliff Owen/AP

All the signs were pointing in Democrats' direction heading into election night. But nothing indicated quite this level of a romp.

President Trump lashed out early on as results showed Democrats ahead in many key races, but later congratulated the Democrats and said more than once that he would respect the outcome of the elections.

After the Democratic victory in the House, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries is poised to become the first Black lawmaker to be elected Speaker. Last night, Jeffries said, "We understand as House Democrats that we need to deliver dramatic change." With a Democratic majority, they'll have the chance to exert more influence in the legislative branch.

Annelise Capossela for NPR

About 1 in 20 Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and it typically lasts for nearly 40% of the year. If you're dealing with SAD, you might feel sluggish, depressed and lose interest in activities you once enjoyed. You might also find yourself oversleeping, overeating and gaining weight. As winter approaches, NPR's Life Kit offers advice on recognizing these feelings and finding ways to boost your mood and energy.

For more guidance on how to get through SAD, listen to this episode of NPR's Life Kit. Subscribe to the Life Kit newsletter for expert advice on love, money, relationships and more.

Construction crews work on houses and other building throughout Kipnuk after ex-typhoon Halong hit Alaska's coast in October of 2025. Gabby Hiestand Salgado/KYUK hide caption

Gabby Hiestand Salgado/KYUK

Typhoon Halong severely impacted small Native villages in Western Alaska last fall, destroying infrastructure and displacing more than a thousand people. A year later, many remain displaced. In Kipnuk — a village of under 200 homes — dozens of houses were swept off their foundations. The community is now mostly scattered across Alaska, and some have relocated far from their ancestral lands. Climate change increases the vulnerability of towns like Kipnuk to future storms. While most residents wish to rebuild the village in a safer location, current FEMA funding only allows for restoring what was damaged. See these photos of the town now, as its people continue to pick up the pieces.

A jumping spider (Salticidae), also known as a flycatcher, is seen in its natural habitat in the Casupo Municipal Park in the city of Valencia, Carabobo State, Venezuela, on July 27, 2023. Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images

This newsletter was edited by Suzanne Nuyen.

Read the full story at NPR ↗ · Al Jazeera ↗

This lens runs the verified story through Cinnamon's AI — wired in the next step.

• Democrats have won the House and the Senate, taking full control of Congress for the first time since 2023.
• And history was made in several states.
• Here's what happened last night