291 Seats: Democrats Seize Historic Control of Congress
The party has not held such a strong majority since the 1974 elections, prompting leaders to vow immediate investigations and accountability measures.
By Meera Fletcher ·
291 seats. That is the number of House districts Democrats controlled following the midterm election held last Tuesday. It marks the largest single-party gain for the party since 1974, when Watergate, inflation, and high unemployment drove voters to the polls. In that prior cycle, Democrats flipped 49 Republican-held seats and added four to their Senate count. This year, the party secured majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The results have drawn sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. Florida Governor Rick DeSantis, a Republican, described the outcome as "close to an extinction-level event for Republicans." Former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, also a Republican, called the midterms "the most disastrous election for Republicans ever." He argued that the dynamic of Republican lawmakers fearing distance from President Donald Trump shifted on election day. Hogan noted that Republicans still in office who have avoided confronting the president will find they possess more courage than they realized, comparing them to the Cowardly Lion.
Hogan suggested that voters rejected the status quo by removing incumbent Republicans. He stated that Democrats now control both houses of Congress, though they lack the White House. This positions them to deliver on campaign promises. Hogan admitted his party needs extensive soul-searching to determine its next steps, laughing when asked if that would be a large amount of work.
President Trump indicated he would push back hard against the new congressional majority. On Friday, he appointed Stephen Miller, known for his confrontational style, as White House chief of staff. Democrats are already ramping up their legislative agenda under new leadership.
New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries is set to become the first Black Speaker of the House. Maryland Representative Jamie Raskin will chair the House Judiciary Committee. Raskin stated that Democrats intend to hold President Trump accountable through the rule of law. He rejected the idea that Congress must choose between economic issues and investigations. Raskin compared the situation to the French Revolution, noting that tyranny and affordability issues often coincide. He affirmed that the party will pursue both corruption and cost-of-living concerns.
Raskin also expressed openness to bipartisan cooperation. He pointed to Senator JD Vance of Ohio, who has recently backpedaled on the Iran war and tariffs. Raskin suggested lawmakers could work together to address these issues. However, he emphasized that Democrats do not view the victory as a final resolution.
Raskin likened the election result to the Battle of Gettysburg. He described it as a turning point in the Civil War rather than the end of the conflict. He noted that many battles remain ahead. President Trump retains two years of his term, at least on paper. Raskin concluded that the struggle is not over and that the party remains in the fight of its lives.
