Warner, Ossoff projected to retain Senate seats as Democrats make early gains
Democratic Senator Mark Warner has been projected to win a fourth term representing Virginia in the US Senate, while Jon Ossoff has retained his seat in Georgia, marking two early victories for the party in the 2026 midterm elections.
CNN’s Decision Desk and the Associated Press have projected Warner’s victory over Republican candidate Bert Mizusawa, a retired US Army major general who served in the Afghanistan war.
Meanwhile, NBC News and CBS News have projected Ossoff’s victory over Republican Mike Collins in Georgia.
Ossoff, who is seen as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential election, retained his Senate seat in the southern state. His victory does not represent a gain for Democrats in the 100-member chamber, but is nevertheless a positive development for the party.
Warner, who previously served as Virginia’s governor, was first elected to the Senate in 2008. He is currently the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and was among eight US lawmakers briefed on the decision to launch a war against Iran.
The early projections offer a boost to Democrats in a midterm election that could reshape the balance of power in Congress and pose a significant challenge to President Donald Trump’s administration.
Congress faces battle for control
All 435 seats in the US House of Representatives and 35 of the Senate’s 100 seats are being contested in Tuesday’s midterm elections. Voters in 36 states are also electing governors.
Republicans held narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress before the elections.
The Senate comprises 100 members, with 51 seats required for a simple majority. Before the vote, Republicans held 53 seats, Democrats had 45, while two senators were independents.
The Senate race is expected to be particularly competitive in states where Republicans have traditionally held strong positions, including Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Ohio and Alaska.
Opinion polls have indicated that Democratic candidates are either narrowly ahead or in competitive races against Republican contenders in several of these states.
Election analysis firm Decision Desk HQ has projected that Democrats could win 52 Senate seats, compared with 48 for Republicans.
Democrats eye House majority
The battle for the House of Representatives is also expected to be closely contested.
A party needs 218 seats to secure a majority in the 435-member chamber. Before the elections, Republicans held 218 seats, while Democrats had 212.
Decision Desk HQ has projected a Democratic majority, forecasting 241 seats for the party against 194 for Republicans.
A Democratic takeover of either chamber would significantly affect Trump’s ability to advance his legislative agenda during the second half of his presidency.
The midterm elections are therefore being closely watched as a key test of the president’s political standing and the electorate’s response to his administration.