Democrats Gain More State Control
State gains put a national popular vote pact within reach, but more states must join.
November 10, 2026 · Updated Nov 10, 1:15pm ET
Boston GlobeDemocrats have gained control in more states. That could change the way the US elects its president.
Associated PressDemocrats have gained control in more states. That could change the way the US elects its president
Washington ExaminerWhy everyone should have seen the blue wave coming (and why they didn't)
Los Angeles TimesDemocrats have gained control in more states. That could change the way the U.S. elects its president
AxiosThe new battle for Congress: Trump's veto
FOX NewsGOP wipeout goes from bad to worse as Dems quietly score another major win with big ramifications
CNNAfter blue wave, three-quarters of Americans will be governed by Democrats
NPRThe Democratic Party gained power across the country in the midterms. Now what?
HuffPost540+ Seats Flipped, 6 New Trifectas: Dem Wins At The State Level Keep Piling Up
PoliticoDemocrats plot their course on national popular vote
Raw StoryElectoral College kill switch within reach for Dems after midterm landslide
Joe.My.God.Dems Have So Far Flipped 549 State Legislative Seats
50%
Left · 6
33%
Center · 4
17%
Right · 2
Pano rates the coverage Mostly Left.
What happened
- Democrats gained control of more state governments in the midterms, putting a pact to elect presidents by the national popular vote within reach.
- The party flipped 549 state legislative seats and 12 chambers, gaining at least six states where it will control both the legislature and governor’s office.
- The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact would award member states’ electoral votes to the nationwide vote winner, but its members hold 222 electoral votes, short of the 270 needed to activate it.
- Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin joining, along with either Arizona or Nevada, would meet that threshold; all five states will have unified Democratic control next year.
- Support from incoming lawmakers and governors remains uncertain, and opponents are preparing constitutional challenges that could reach the Supreme Court.
How the left told it
Left-leaning outlets emphasized the sweeping scale of Democrats’ state-level gains and their potential consequences. HuffPost called the victories “astounding,” while CNN highlighted that Democratic governors would serve roughly 75% of Americans. The Los Angeles Times and Boston Globe focused on how the gains could change presidential elections through the popular-vote pact.
How the right told it
Right-leaning outlets framed the results as a sweeping Republican defeat. Fox News called it a “GOP wipeout” and emphasized state legislative gains that could shape redistricting and election rules. The Washington Examiner argued the blue wave should not have surprised observers, pointing to weak Republican polling before the election.
2026 Midterm Elections
Part of the storyline · Storyline →- Nov 11Midterm Results Reshape 2028 RaceBalanced
- Nov 10Democrats Gain More State Control (this story)Mostly Left
- Nov 10Republicans Debate Blame For Midterm LossesLeans Right
- Nov 7Young Voters Fuel DemocratsBalanced
- Nov 6Democrats Expand House MajorityBalanced
