<p>The 2026 US midterm elections delivered a stunning political setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, with Democrats scoring historic victories across traditionally Republican strongholds and reclaiming control of Congress. As the results came in, Democratic candidates took to the stage to celebrate victories that few would have predicted just months ago. From Texas to South Carolina, Kansas, Maine and Michigan, their election-night speeches captured the excitement of a remarkable political comeback, with several candidates delivering memorable one-liners and pointed messages to their opponents.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>One of the biggest moments came from Texas, where James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton to win a Senate seat for the Democrats. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Talarico declared, “We just took back Texas.” He went on to highlight the role of ordinary voters in his victory, adding, “We just proved that all the money in the world is no match for the people of Texas.” Talarico also took aim at the politics of division, saying, "We just showed that a politics of division is no match for a politics of love." His victory marked a historic breakthrough for Democrats in a state that had not elected a Democratic US senator since 1988.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In South Carolina, Annie Andrews celebrated another major upset after defeating Republican Darline Graham. Her victory ended a 28-year Democratic drought in Senate elections in the state and made her the first woman elected to represent South Carolina in the US Senate. "I think we just made some history," Andrews told supporters. She added: “South Carolina, you have shown the nation what is possible.” The pediatrician-turned-politician also highlighted how voters had come together despite political differences, declaring that the state would not bow to "partisan divides, vitriol and name calling".</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-texas-to-south-carolina-how-democrats-stormed-republican-strongholds-to-redraw-america-s-political-map-in-us-midterms-2026-1793821643452"><strong>From Texas to South Carolina: How Democrats stormed Republican strongholds to redraw America's political map in US midterms 2026</strong></a></p><h2>Watch the video</h2>

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<p>Kansas witnessed another significant political shift as Democrat Adam Hamilton defeated Republican incumbent Roger Marshall. Reflecting on his relatively late entry into the race, Hamilton said: “I think I got elected because Kansans were saying, we're tired of the bullies. We're tired of the chaos.” His victory was particularly significant as it made him the first Democrat elected to represent Kansas in the US Senate in nearly a century.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In Maine, Troy Jackson pulled off one of the night's most remarkable upsets by defeating five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins. A former logger from Allagash, Jackson had entered the race just over 100 days before the election. Recalling his appeal to voters at the party convention, Jackson said: “A little more than 100 days ago, I stood in front of our convention and asked you to put your faith in a logger from Allagash.” He then delivered the punchline that brought cheers from supporters: "Well, tonight, the people of Maine have elected that logger to the United States Senate."</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed also had a memorable moment during his victory speech after defeating Republican Mike Rogers. Taking a swipe at his opponent and the political attacks directed at him, El-Sayed declared: “You chose hate and Michigan chose hope.” He also addressed Vice President JD Vance, who is constitutionally required to administer the oath to newly elected senators. Referring to the difficulty some people had pronouncing his name, El-Sayed joked: “Look, I know you struggled with my name. So after JD swears me in in January, you could just go on and call me Senator.”</p>

Watch James Talarico, Annie Andrews, Adam Hamilton, Troy Jackson and Abdul El-Sayed celebrate as Democrats secure historic Senate victories in the 2026 US midterm elections

The 2026 US midterm elections delivered a stunning political setback for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party, with Democrats scoring historic victories across traditionally Republican strongholds and reclaiming control of Congress. As the results came in, Democratic candidates took to the stage to celebrate victories that few would have predicted just months ago. From Texas to South Carolina, Kansas, Maine and Michigan, their election-night speeches captured the excitement of a remarkable political comeback, with several candidates delivering memorable one-liners and pointed messages to their opponents. One of the biggest moments came from Texas, where James Talarico defeated Republican Ken Paxton to win a Senate seat for the Democrats. Addressing an enthusiastic crowd, Talarico declared, “We just took back Texas.” He went on to highlight the role of ordinary voters in his victory, adding, “We just proved that all the money in the world is no match for the people of Texas.” Talarico also took aim at the politics of division, saying, "We just showed that a politics of division is no match for a politics of love." His victory marked a historic breakthrough for Democrats in a state that had not elected a Democratic US senator since 1988. In South Carolina, Annie Andrews celebrated another major upset after defeating Republican Darline Graham. Her victory ended a 28-year Democratic drought in Senate elections in the state and made her the first woman elected to represent South Carolina in the US Senate. "I think we just made some history," Andrews told supporters. She added: “South Carolina, you have shown the nation what is possible.” The pediatrician-turned-politician also highlighted how voters had come together despite political differences, declaring that the state would not bow to "partisan divides, vitriol and name calling". Also Read: From Texas to South Carolina: How Democrats stormed Republican strongholds to redraw America's political map in US midterms 2026 Watch the video

<p>Democrats celebrate historic Senate victories in the 2026 US midterms as James Talarico, Annie Andrews and others deliver memorable speeches</p>

‘You can call me Senator’: From Texas To Maine, watch Democrats celebrate historic 2026 midterm wins

<p>Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, according to a projection by Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). The victory marks a major breakthrough for Democrats in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The 37-year-old's win is also a boost for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the US Senate. Texas last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1988.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Talarico's victory came despite strong financial backing for his rival. Elon Musk, the world's richest man and Tesla CEO, was a vocal supporter of Ken Paxton and poured more than $100 million into the Republican campaign in Texas.</p><h3>Who is James Talarico?</h3><p>Talarico built his campaign around unity, drawing on his faith and experience as a former public school teacher. He is also a Presbyterian seminarian.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He has kept distance from rigid party positions, helping him appeal to a wider section of Texas voters. Much of his campaign focused on reaching independent voters and those who do not traditionally support Democrats.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Opinion polls before the November 3 vote showed Talarico emerging as the frontrunner. However, many Democrats remained cautious, given the party's repeated failures to win statewide elections in Texas.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-race-democrats-take-early-lead-with-102-seats-republicans-at-58-majority-mark-218-1793761113639"><strong>US House race: Democrats take commanding lead with 132 seats, Republicans trail at 77; majority mark 218</strong></a></p><h3>Why was Ken Paxton a controversial choice?</h3><p>Paxton faced years of criticism over scandals during his time as Texas attorney general. He also survived an impeachment attempt in 2023 over corruption charges.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>His personal life came under scrutiny last year when his wife of nearly four decades filed for divorce on “biblical grounds”.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Paxton also blamed the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas for hurting his campaign. In audio leaked to The New York Times in September, he said the convention “dropped our numbers”.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>President Donald Trump offered mixed support for Paxton during his campaign speeches. While urging Texans to vote for the Republican, Trump called him “a pain in the a--” and “a little controversial”.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Trump's own approval rating had also come under pressure amid public frustration over the economy and the war in Iran.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>Talarico invokes David vs Goliath in victory speech</h2><p>Addressing supporters after his victory, Talarico declared, “We defeated Goliath”.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“In this race, we went up against our own Goliaths. The richest man in the world, the most powerful man in the world, and the entire Washington, DC establishment,” Talarico told a victory rally in Austin, the Texas capital.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

James Talarico's victory over Ken Paxton gives Democrats a historic breakthrough in Texas, which has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1988, and could help the party gain control of the chamber.

Democrat James Talarico has defeated Republican Ken Paxton in the Texas Senate race, according to a projection by Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ). The victory marks a major breakthrough for Democrats in a state where Republicans have dominated statewide elections for decades. The 37-year-old's win is also a boost for Democrats as they seek to gain control of the US Senate. Texas last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 1988. Talarico's victory came despite strong financial backing for his rival. Elon Musk, the world's richest man and Tesla CEO, was a vocal supporter of Ken Paxton and poured more than $100 million into the Republican campaign in Texas. Who is James Talarico? Talarico built his campaign around unity, drawing on his faith and experience as a former public school teacher. He is also a Presbyterian seminarian. He has kept distance from rigid party positions, helping him appeal to a wider section of Texas voters. Much of his campaign focused on reaching independent voters and those who do not traditionally support Democrats. Opinion polls before the November 3 vote showed Talarico emerging as the frontrunner. However, many Democrats remained cautious, given the party's repeated failures to win statewide elections in Texas. Also Read: US House race: Democrats take commanding lead with 132 seats, Republicans trail at 77; majority mark 218 Why was Ken Paxton a controversial choice? Paxton faced years of criticism over scandals during his time as Texas attorney general. He also survived an impeachment attempt in 2023 over corruption charges. His personal life came under scrutiny last year when his wife of nearly four decades filed for divorce on “biblical grounds”. Paxton also blamed the Republican National Committee's first-ever midterm convention in Dallas for hurting his campaign. In audio leaked to The New York Times in September, he said the convention “dropped our numbers”. President Donald Trump offered mixed support for Paxton during his campaign speeches. While urging Texans to vote for the Republican, Trump called him “a pain in the a--” and “a little controversial”. Trump's own approval rating had also come under pressure amid public frustration over the economy and the war in Iran. Talarico invokes David vs Goliath in victory speech Addressing supporters after his victory, Talarico declared, “We defeated Goliath”. “In this race, we went up against our own Goliaths. The richest man in the world, the most powerful man in the world, and the entire Washington, DC establishment,” Talarico told a victory rally in Austin, the Texas capital.

<p>James Talarico's victory over Ken Paxton gives Democrats a historic breakthrough in Texas, which has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate since 1988, and could help the party gain control of the chamber.</p>

James Talarico makes history with Texas Senate win, ends Democrats' 38-year drought

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‘You can call me Senator’: From Texas To Maine, watch Democrats celebrate historic 2026 midterm wins

James Talarico wins Texas Senate race, ends Democrats' 38-year wait for victory