Wednesday, November 4th
The Pano newsletter, as it was sent that morning.
Most covered
- 1
Democrats Win Control Of Congress
Balanced· 332 articles - 2
Annie Andrews Unseats Darline Graham
Leans Left· 58 articles - 3
James Talarico Flips Texas
Balanced· 52 articles - 4
Florida Elects First Black Governor
Leans Right· 44 articles - 5
Jon Ossoff Wins Georgia Reelection
Balanced· 41 articles - 6
Keisha Lance Bottoms Wins Georgia Governorship
Balanced· 36 articles - 7
Troy Jackson Defeats Susan Collins
Balanced· 36 articles - 8
Roy Cooper Wins Senate Landslide
Balanced· 35 articles - 9
Amy Acton Wins Ohio Governor Race
Balanced· 29 articles - 10
Adam Hamilton Flips Kansas Senate
Balanced· 27 articles - 11
Sherrod Brown Wins Ohio Senate
Balanced· 27 articles - 12
Josh Turek Wins Iowa Senate Seat
Balanced· 26 articles - 13
Chris Pappas Makes Gay Senate History
Balanced· 23 articles - 14
Xavier Becerra Wins California Governorship
Balanced· 18 articles - 15
Gina Hinojosa Ousts Gov. Abbott
Balanced· 18 articles - 16
Rob Sand Flips Iowa Governor
Leans Left· 15 articles - 17
Ashley Moody Wins Florida Senate
Leans Right· 12 articles - 18
Peggy Flanagan Wins Minnesota Senate
Balanced· 10 articles
In depth
The biggest stories, and how each side covered themDemocrats Win Control Of Congress
Democrats are projected to control both chambers of Congress after a sweeping midterm victory.
Balanced· 332 articles
What happened
- Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, ending Republicans’ control of Congress.
- Democrats secured at least 218 House seats and flipped Republican-held Senate seats in states including Texas, Kansas, Iowa and South Carolina.
- Exit polling found that 62% of voters blamed President Donald Trump’s policies for higher prices, while 71% wanted Congress to do more to check him.
- Trump congratulated Democrats and said he would accept the results and work with them, while stressing his power to veto legislation.
- Democrats take over in January with power to block Trump’s agenda and investigate his administration, though their final seat totals remain unsettled.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets framed the Democratic sweep as a rejection of Trump and a restoration of congressional checks on his power. The New York Times called it a “midterm thrashing” that secured a platform to counter him; HuffPost emphasized that his congressional “free pass” would end in January.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets framed the results as a sweeping Republican defeat that would constrain Trump’s presidency. Fox News called the Senate result a “spectacular drubbing,” while the New York Post described a “blue tsunami.” Breitbart highlighted Democrats’ new power to block legislation, investigate the administration and thwart appointments.
Annie Andrews Unseats Darline Graham
Annie Andrews defeated Trump-backed Darline Graham, flipping South Carolina’s Senate seat.
Leans Left· 58 articles
What happened
- Democrat Annie Andrews defeated Republican Sen. Darline Graham in South Carolina, flipping the U.S. Senate seat to Democrats.
- Andrews, a pediatrician, became the first woman elected to represent South Carolina in the Senate and its first Democratic Senate winner since 1998.
- Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham after her brother Lindsey Graham died in July, and President Donald Trump backed her campaign for a full term.
- Andrews campaigned on affordable health care and lowering costs, while Graham faced questions about her experience after saying she was “not that informed on national security.”
- The victory improves Democrats’ chances of taking Senate control, with the balance of power still dependent on other races.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets framed the upset as a major setback for Trump and his chosen candidate. CNN said his personal push had come “back to bite his party,” while HuffPost called the loss possibly Republicans’ “biggest self-inflicted wound” of the midterms, highlighting divisions over Graham’s nomination.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets emphasized the historic Republican loss despite Trump’s backing and Graham’s familiar name. Fox News called it a “major upset” that his late campaign stops could not prevent. Breitbart highlighted lingering primary divisions and conservative reluctance to embrace Graham, while the Daily Wire stressed concerns about her readiness.
James Talarico Flips Texas
Democrat James Talarico beat Ken Paxton, turning a Texas Senate seat blue.
Balanced· 52 articles
What happened
- Democrat James Talarico defeated Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday, flipping a Texas U.S. Senate seat to Democrats.
- Talarico, a 37-year-old state lawmaker and Presbyterian seminarian, is the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Texas since 1988.
- Talarico campaigned on lowering everyday costs and corruption allegations against Paxton, while Paxton argued that Talarico’s social views were too progressive for Texas.
- The race drew more than $500 million in spending after Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the Republican primary with President Donald Trump’s endorsement.
- Talarico will replace Cornyn, who congratulated him and offered to help with his transition to the Senate.
From the left
Left-leaning outlets framed the win as a historic Democratic breakthrough and a defeat for Trump’s choice of a scandal-plagued candidate. The New York Times highlighted Talarico’s victory despite Elon Musk’s spending, while HuffPost called the result a “colossal self-own by the GOP” and MS NOW recalled warnings about nominating Paxton.
From the right
Right-leaning outlets framed the win as a historic Republican setback, frequently highlighting Paxton’s scandals and Trump’s endorsement. Fox News said Trump’s “gamble” had backfired; the New York Post said Paxton’s controversies proved too much to overcome. The Blaze emphasized his weak performance in counties Trump had won.
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