The Smile

Celebrate Democrats Winning the Senate and Making History

Democrats are projected to win control of the U.S. Senate in the 2026 midterm elections, marking a major shift in congressional power! The election also represents a historic milestone for representation, with women, LGBTQ+ candidates, and candidates from underrepresented communities winning groundbreaking races. With Democrats projected to control both chambers of Congress, the results will reshape Washington and bring new voices to the nation's highest legislative body.

Among the most historic victories is Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton's election to the Senate. Stratton will become just the fifth Black woman ever elected to the chamber, and her victory means that three Black women will serve in the Senate simultaneously for the first time in American history. Illinois will also become the first state represented by two women of color in the Senate at the same time. In New Hampshire, Representative Chris Pappas is projected to become the first openly gay man elected to the Senate, marking another milestone for LGBTQ+ representation.

Democrats also secured projected victories in several closely watched Senate races. Former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper flipped a Republican-held seat, while Democrat James Talarico is projected to win in Texas, ending a decades-long drought for Democrats in statewide elections. Sherrod Brown is projected to return to the Senate from Ohio, while Adam Hamilton is projected to become Kansas' first Democratic senator since 1932. In Iowa, former Paralympian Josh Turek is projected to win, bringing greater representation for Americans with disabilities to Congress.

These election results mark a significant moment for political representation and congressional leadership. The incoming Senate will include lawmakers whose backgrounds and experiences have historically been underrepresented in the chamber, alongside a new Democratic majority with the ability to shape legislation, committee leadership, and oversight. As the remaining races are finalized, the projected results point to a Congress that will look different from the one voters elected two years ago.

Add your name to celebrate Democrats' projected Senate victory, recognize the historic achievements of Juliana Stratton, Chris Pappas, and other groundbreaking candidates, and honor the voters who helped make this milestone in American political representation possible!
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