Live 2026 Senate election results as Democrats score major upsets in Texas, South Carolina, Kansas

Rev. Adam Hamilton is projected to defeat GOP Sen. Roger Marshall, unseating the sitting senator in a major upset that marks the first time in nearly a century that the state has elected a Democrat to the Senate.

Hamilton, 62, leads the U.S.' largest United Methodist church, with widespread name recognition as a well-known author and speaker. He campaigned on an affordability-focused agenda as he took on Marshall, who was seeking a second term in the Senate after representing Kansas in the House since 2017.

Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown is projected to defeat Sen. Jon Husted, flipping the seat for Democrats two years after he lost his reelection bid in the Buckeye State.

Brown, 73, lost narrowly in 2024 to GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno, but he maintained a strong working-class brand in the state, propelling him to victory over Husted, who was appointed to the seat last year to replace Vice President JD Vance.

GOP Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that the "voters have spoken," congratulating state Rep. James Talarico, the Democrat in the race for Cornyn's seat. 

"The voters have spoken, and I want to extend my congratulations to James Talarico on his election to the U.S. Senate," Cornyn wrote in a post on X. "I look forward to meeting him and offering my assistance with his transition as he prepares to serve Texans in the U.S. Senate."

Cornyn was defeated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the GOP primary, after President Trump made a last-minute endorsement. At the time, Senate Republicans acknowledged that the outcome made the state a heavier lift for the GOP, and possibly put the seat in jeopardy. 

Democratic state Rep. James Talarico is projected to defeat GOP Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, marking a major flip for Democrats that they have long sought in the Lone Star State.

Talarico, 37, is a former teacher and Presbyterian seminarian. The projected victory comes as Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. But the party saw their chances improving after Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary, given Paxton's history of personal controversies and his more conservative positions.

CBS News projects that Democrats will take control of the House, flipping the lower chamber and adding to the stakes for both parties as Senate control remains up in the air. 

If Republicans lose control of the upper chamber as well, their efforts to confirm the president's executive and judicial branch nominees will come to a standstill, and they'll lose a firewall against the probes and possible impeachments that House Democrats are expected to pursue. 

Kevin Hern wins Oklahoma Senate race, CBS News projects. The projected victory comes after Markwayne Mullin departed the Senate in March to take the helm at the Department of Homeland Security. Sen. Alan Armstrong was appointed to fill the vacancy, and under Oklahoma state law, anyone appointed to an empty Senate seat must pledge not to run for a full term. Hern has represented Oklahoma in the House since 2018.

Andy Barr wins Kentucky Senate race, CBS News projects.The projected victory comes after GOP Sen. Mitch McConnell, the longest serving party leader in Senate history, announced his retirement. Barr has represented Kentucky in the House since 2013.

CBS News rates the battleground Michigan Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers as a toss-up. 

This comes after Democratic Rep. Haley Stevens, who lost to El-Sayed in the primary, shocked the political world on Sunday when she decided to change her endorsement from El-Sayed to Rogers.

Democrat Annie Andrews defeated GOP Sen. Darline Graham in the South Carolina Senate race, CBS News projects, in a major upset.

Andrews, 45, is a pediatrician and campaigned on healthcare access and affordability, along with fighting corruption in Washington. She faced off against Graham, the incumbent senator who was appointed to serve out the remainder of her brother Lindsey Graham's term after his sudden death in July.

Read more here. 

The Kansas Senate race is leaning Democrat, CBS News estimates. Reverend Adam Hamilton is taking on GOP Sen. Roger Marshall in the race that grew surprisingly competitive in recent weeks. Kansas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in almost a century. 

The Texas Senate race is leaning Democrat, CBS News estimates, after polls closed in the Lone Star State.

Democrats are hoping to break a long streak of GOP wins in the state with their candidate, state Rep. James Talarico. Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1988. But Democrats saw their chances improving when Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary.

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who won reelection, took to the stage to thank the voters and volunteers. 

"Georgia, you did it!" he said. 

Ossoff also congratulated fellow Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, who won the governor's race. 

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Ossoff told the voters in his speech. 

Two senior Republican party operatives involved in the party's midterm strategy told CBS News there is growing concern within top Senate GOP circles that Election Night could be especially bad for Republicans.

"It looks biblically bad," one of the operatives told CBS News.

Another top GOP operative directly involved in Senate midterm strategy was more blunt in their response. "Dude," the Republican strategist said. "Bloodbath."

Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina congratulated Democrat Roy Cooper for his projected victory in the race to replace him in the upper chamber. 

"I look forward to working with him during the transition," Tillis said in a post on X. "Representing the Old North State in the world's most deliberative body is an honor of a lifetime and Susan and I wish Roy and Kristin the very best in the years ahead."

The South Carolina Senate race leans Democratic, CBS News estimates. Annie Andrews, the Democratic candidate, is leading Darline Graham, the Republican incumbent and sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. 

The last time a Democrat won a Senate race in South Carolina was 1998, and that was a longtime incumbent senator, Fritz Hollings. 

Republican Harriet Hageman wins Wyoming Senate race, CBS News projects. Hageman's projected victory comes after GOP Sen. Cynthia Lummis opted not to seek reelection. Hageman has represented Wyoming in the House since 2023.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito wins reelection in West Virginia Senate race, CBS News projects. Capito, a Republican, has represented West Virginia in the Senate since 2015.

Sen. Ben Ray Luján wins reelection in New Mexico Senate race, CBS News projects. Luján, a Democrat, has represented New Mexico in the Senate since 2021.

Sen. John Hickenlooper wins reelection in Colorado Senate race, CBS News projects. Hickenlooper, a Democrat, has represented Colorado in the Senate since 2021.

Polls closed at 9 p.m. ET  in more than a dozen new states, including Texas, Iowa, Michigan and Kansas.

New Hampshire GOP Senate candidate John Sununu conceded the race in Manchester, New Hampshire. He opened by thanking everyone saying, "This has been an incredible campaign, but it is not our night."

Sununu also said he called Pappas to congratulate him and that "he ran a good campaign."

"I love the state, the voters of New Hampshire, and their engagement, their participation," Sununu said. "Today we had a fantastic turnout, and even in an unsuccessful effort, it makes me feel good as someone running for office to know that people really care."

 — Ian McKinney

Sen. Ashley Moody wins Florida Senate race, CBS News projects. Moody, a Republican, was appointed last year to fill a vacancy left by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. With the projected victory in the special election, Moody will serve out the remainder of Rubio's term, which ends in early 2029. 

Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is projected to defeat former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley, marking a flip for Democrats after Sen. Thom Tillis opted not to seek reelection. 

Cooper, 69, is a popular two-term governor and the longest-serving state attorney general in North Carolina's history. Cooper faced off with Whatley, who had never previously run for office and entered the Senate race after President Trump's encouragement. The projected victory comes as North Carolina hasn't elected a Democratic senator since 2008.

Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas defeated former GOP Sen. John Sununu in the New Hampshire Senate race, CBS News projects, keeping the seat in Democratic control after Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's retirement. 

Pappas, 46, has represented New Hampshire in the House since 2019, where he's a member of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. He campaigned as an independent voice for New Hampshire, taking on a formidable opponent in Sununu, whose family has widespread name recognition in the state.

With the projected victory, he becomes the first openly gay man elected to the Senate.

Read more here.

Sen. Jack Reed wins reelection in Rhode Island Senate race, CBS News projects. Reed, a Democrat, has represented Rhode Island in the Senate since 1997.

Sen. Ed Markey wins reelection in Massachusetts Senate race, CBS News projects. Markey, a Democrat, has represented Massachusetts in the Senate since 2013.

Juliana Stratton wins Illinois Senate race, CBS News projects. Stratton, Illinois' lieutenant governor, is set to become the sixth Black woman ever to serve in the Senate. The projected victory comes after Sen. Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Senate Democrat, announced his retirement. 

Sen. Chris Coons wins reelection in the Delaware Senate race, CBS News projects. Coons, a Democrat, has represented Delaware in the Senate since 2010.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker wins reelection in the New Jersey Senate race, CBS News projects. 

Booker, a Democrat, has represented New Jersey in the Senate since 2013.

At 8 p.m., polls closed in a dozen more states, including several more Senate battleground states. 

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff is projected to win reelection, defending his seat in a race that has long been seen as a key prize for Republicans.

Ossoff, 39, was the sole Democratic incumbent seeking reelection in a state President Trump won in 2024. He defeated GOP Rep. Mike Collins, who's represented Georgia in the House since 2023, after a campaign that showcased Ossoff's formidable fundraising efforts. With the projected victory, Democrats will retain a key seat, keeping their hope of winning a majority in the chamber alive. 

Polls closed at 7:30 ET in three more states, including the Senate battleground state of North Carolina. 

The seat is open after Sen. Thom Tillis opted not to run for reelection. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is facing Republican Michael Whatley.

CBS News rates South Carolina's Senate race a toss-up after polls closed in the Palmetto State. 

Exit polls found most voters don't think GOP Sen. Darline Graham has the right experience to be a U.S. Senator. But it's not a dealbreaker for all voters. About a quarter who hold this view are still voting for Graham.

At the same time, about half of voters say Democrat Annie Andrews' views are too extreme. And most of those voters are voting against Andrews.

Democratic Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia wins reelection, CBS News projects. Warner was first elected to the Senate in 2008. 

Polls are closed in six states, including two battleground Senate states, South Carolina and Georgia. 

South Carolina's Sen. Darline Graham is facing Democrat Annie Andrews in South Carolina, while Georgia's incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff is facing Republican Mike Collins. 

President Trump's job approval is currently underwater in nearly all the Senate battleground states, according to early exit polls, including states that he won by double digits in 2024.

In all the Senate battlegrounds, more say their finances are worse, not better, compared to years ago.

And party control of the Senate was on the minds of voters. Majorities of those voting for Republican candidates and those voting for Democrats say which party controls the Senate was a major factor in their vote.

Read more here.

Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola told reporters on Tuesday that she felt that the accusations of fraud by her GOP opponent, incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, and other Republicans may have been the "push we needed at the final end to get people reengaged." 

"Alaskans across the state know that Dan Sullivan voted for this war in Iran 14 times," Peltola said. "You cannot hide from that, no matter how much mudslinging and name-calling you do. So, I honestly think that to some extent it backfired, and our supporters have said, 'no, we are not falling for these dirty tricks.'"

The Trump administration filed a lawsuit last month that sought to block the results from being certified if the incumbent senator receives fewer votes than Peltola, but a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit on Sunday. Amid the litigation, The New York Times reported last week that there was a secret effort by political operatives aligned with Peltola's campaign to help recruit Daniel J. Sullivan to peel voters away from the senator. Peltola has denied any involvement in the alleged plan.

When asked if she was expecting more legal challenges, Peltola said: "I believe in the rule of law. I believe in justice. I believe in our courts, and I have every faith that things will turn out the way they should." 

In Anchorage, Alaska, several voters said they thought the ballot was clear despite the controversy surrounding the two Dan Sullivans, though they differed on whether the dispute itself was legitimate.

Michael Hanson, a 66-year-old Republican who voted for Dan Sullivan, said he was unhappy that the matter was being taken to court and wanted the decision left to voters. Barbara Konrad, a moderate voter who also backed Sullivan, said Mary Peltola had been "corrupted too quickly," and was frustrated by the volume and tone of political ads in the Senate race. 

— Imani Agbionu and Taurean Small

There are 11 states that are considered Senate battlegrounds, based on CBS News estimates, with eight of those being GOP-held and three are held by Democrats.

Two of the Democratic-held states, Georgia and New Hampshire, lean Democratic. The third, Michigan, is considered a toss up. 

Three of the Republican-held seats, South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa, are lean Republican. But four others are toss ups: Maine, Ohio, Texas and Alaska. The eighth state, North Carolina, is lean Democratic.

Democrats need to net four seats to take control of the upper chamber. 

In the midterm elections, the party in the White House often suffers losses, and that, along with the GOP's current standing with voters, has thrown a map that seemed pretty favorable to Republicans into question.

Democrats have pickup opportunities in some states that will determine control of the upper chamber: North Carolina, Ohio, Maine, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa and Texas. But at the same time, they're on the defensive in some states, too, like Michigan. 

Democrats last won control of the Senate in 2022, maintaining a narrow majority throughout the Biden administration. Control of the upper chamber has major implications for the White House and its policy priorities and nominations, as Mr. Trump eyes the final two years of his presidency.