Republicans lost control of both the House and the Senate in Tuesday's US midterm elections. Democrats won at least 231 House seats and 54 Senate seats, and also made gains in governors' races. Their wins reached into traditional Republican strongholds from Texas to Kansas and Ohio.

President Donald Trump acknowledged that the war with Iran was "to a large extent" behind the defeat. He also pointed to weak Republican candidates and argued that the party would have won had his name been on the ballot. He said he was willing to work with the new majority, while signalling that he could veto its agenda.

Vice President JD Vance named the war as the main reason for the loss. He said that voters who had backed Trump in 2024 shifted to the Democrats. Citing a poll, he said those voters would return to the Republicans only if the war ends, living costs and inflation come down, "America First" takes priority and the relationship with Israel changes.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the result came close to "a disaster that threatens the existence of Republicans in many parts of the country." He described it as "not an endorsement of Democrats, but a rejection of Republicans in Washington," and suggested the party may have to wait until 2032 to win back Congress.

The White House responded with a post on X showing Trump alongside the words "Trump is still your president," a reminder that he remains in office until January 2029. The US Constitution bars him from seeking a third term.

Among the notable results, Democrat Deb Haaland won the governorship of New Mexico. She becomes the first Native American woman to hold that office in the state. Democrat Peggy Flanagan won a Senate seat in Minnesota, becoming the first Native American woman to enter the Senate.