Democrats have won control of the U.S. House and Senate, according to the Associated Press, setting up divided government in Washington after the 2026 midterm elections. In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker secured a third term and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the race to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
Results checked November 4, 2026, at approximately 3:30 p.m. Central. Race calls and preliminary returns are not certified election results; outstanding ballots can change vote totals.
The outcome brings a shift in congressional power alongside continued Democratic control in Springfield. Chicago’s school board election adds a separate local transition, with Jessica Biggs declaring victory in the city’s first race for an elected board president.
National result: Democrats capture Congress
The Associated Press reported that Democrats secured both congressional majorities. Its national coverage identified high prices, the Iran war and concerns about government corruption among the issues shaping the election.
That ends unified Republican control when the newly elected Congress takes office. President Donald Trump remains president: the November 3 vote was a midterm election, not a presidential election.
Source: Associated Press national election report
Democratic Senate gains extended beyond traditional battlegrounds. Roll Call reported victories for James Talarico in Texas, Annie Andrews in South Carolina and Adam Hamilton in Kansas, alongside Sherrod Brown in Ohio and Josh Turek in Iowa. Turek defeated Republican Ashley Hinson for the seat being vacated by Joni Ernst.
Source: Roll Call Senate results · Iowa result: Associated Press via OPB
What changes in Washington—and what does not
AP’s Wednesday reporting said Democrats were preparing a legislative agenda focused on costs and expanded oversight of the Trump administration. Hakeem Jeffries is positioned to seek the speakership, but that office requires election by the House; it does not transfer automatically with a party’s victory.
Source: Associated Press post-election report
Analysis: Congressional control gives the incoming majority substantial influence over committee investigations, spending negotiations and which legislation advances. It does not give Democrats control of the executive branch or guarantee that their bills become law. Trump retains presidential powers, including the veto, so the result points toward negotiation and confrontation between branches rather than an immediate transfer of the entire federal government.
Who won the major Illinois races?
NBC Chicago’s results page identified Democratic winners across the statewide contests listed below. The percentages are a snapshot of preliminary returns available during this review, not final margins.
| Office | Reported winner | Party | Approximate preliminary vote share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | JB Pritzker | Democratic | 59.8% |
| U.S. Senate | Juliana Stratton | Democratic | 61.0% |
| Attorney general | Kwame Raoul | Democratic | 61.5% |
| Secretary of state | Alexi Giannoulias | Democratic | 64.5% |
| Comptroller | Margaret Croke | Democratic | 60.8% |
| Treasurer | Michael Frerichs | Democratic | 61.9% |
Source: NBC Chicago results and race calls
Pritzker wins a third term
Pritzker defeated Republican Darren Bailey in a rematch of their 2022 contest. Independent Collin Corbett finished third in the reported returns. Christian Mitchell was elected as Pritzker’s lieutenant governor running mate.
The Associated Press called the governor’s race shortly after polls closed, according to Capitol News Illinois. Pritzker’s victory extends his tenure in Springfield while attention to his possible national ambitions continues. A potential presidential campaign, however, remains a separate question from the office voters elected him to hold.
Source: Capitol News Illinois · Additional reporting: WBEZ
Stratton succeeds Durbin in the Senate
Stratton defeated Republican Don Tracy to win the seat held by Durbin, who is retiring after three decades in the Senate. The result keeps the seat in Democratic hands while changing one of Illinois’ most established representatives in Washington.
Capitol News Illinois reported that AP called the race when polls closed. Stratton will join Sen. Tammy Duckworth in representing Illinois. She is senator-elect until the new term begins, rather than an incumbent senator immediately upon the race call.
Source: Capitol News Illinois Senate report
A new generation of Illinois House representatives
Five closely watched open congressional seats produced Democratic victories. Reported returns from ABC7 Chicago, together with AP race calls carried by Fox News, identify the following winners:
| Congressional district | Reported winner | Party |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd | Donna Miller | Democratic |
| 4th | Patty Garcia | Democratic |
| 7th | La Shawn Ford | Democratic |
| 8th | Melissa Bean | Democratic |
| 9th | Daniel Biss | Democratic |
Republicans also retained representation in the delegation, with reported victories for Mike Bost in the 12th District, Mary Miller in the 15th and Darin LaHood in the 16th. Democratic incumbents winning reelection included Nikki Budzinski, Lauren Underwood and Eric Sorensen.
Source: ABC7 Chicago congressional returns · AP race calls via Fox News
Springfield: Democratic supermajorities expand
The statewide sweep was accompanied by Democratic gains in the Illinois General Assembly. Capitol News Illinois reported Wednesday morning that Democrats had reached 44 state Senate seats and 80 state House seats, with several contests still uncalled at that point. Those figures should be read as a dated reporting snapshot, not a certified final composition.
Croke’s comptroller victory also means a change in leadership of the office responsible for managing state payments and financial reporting. Other statewide Democratic officeholders retained their positions.
Analysis: The expanded legislative position strengthens Democrats’ ability to advance their agenda in Springfield. The practical test will be how that majority handles budgets and policy disagreements, including differences within its own caucus.
Source: Capitol News Illinois statewide and legislative roundup
Chicago school board: Biggs declares victory
Jessica Biggs, a current board member and former CPS principal, declared victory in the race to become Chicago’s first elected school board president. Chalkbeat reported that she held a substantial lead over former Chicago Teachers Union official Hilario Dominguez and attorney Victor Henderson.
This article treats that as a declaration of victory supported by a reported lead, rather than a certified result. It also does not assign a final majority to any school board coalition while district races remain under review.
The election completes Chicago’s move from a hybrid board to a fully elected body. The president will help set its agenda and, beginning in January, participate as a full voting member. The next board faces decisions about district finances, enrollment and educational priorities.
Source: Chalkbeat · Additional reporting: ABC7 Chicago
What happens next?
Election officials continue reviewing ballots and preparing official results. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission distinguishes election-night reporting and media projections from the canvass and certification process, which verifies the accounting of votes.
Illinois’ State Board of Elections directs readers to local election authorities for unofficial local returns. Close contests should be followed through those authorities rather than treated as settled solely because a candidate has made a victory speech.
Source: U.S. Election Assistance Commission · Illinois official results information
For Illinois, the immediate picture is clear at the top of the ballot: Pritzker remains governor, Stratton is headed to the Senate, and Democrats retained the statewide offices. Nationally, the congressional shift creates a new balance of power whose policy consequences will unfold after the incoming members take office.
Related: Our Election Day guide to the Illinois races. This follow-up reflects reporting available November 4 and does not replace certified results.
