Mitchell Berman, a Democratic nurse working in the Veterans Health Administration, is projected to defeat Republican Rep. Bryan Steil in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. The victory marks the first time a Democrat will represent the southeastern Wisconsin district since former Rep. Peter Barca left office in 1995. The AP projects that Democrats also flipped Wisconsin’s 3rd District, where Rebecca Cooke defeated Rep. Derrick Van Orden.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic candidates and leaders framed the Wisconsin results as part of a broader rejection of the current administration’s policies. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., who is expected to lead the New Democrat Coalition, stated on Election Night that the results were a "repudiation" of President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. "I think voters came to vote with one message, which is they're rejecting the way the Trump administration is handling this economy and they want to see Dems come to Washington to make a difference in their everyday life," Budzinski said.
Former President Barack Obama celebrated the sweeping Democratic victories, writing in a social media post that "the American people sent a clear message — they want a politics that brings people together rather than divides them, and leaders who offer concrete solutions to the challenges they face." Obama noted that these results were possible because "outstanding candidates stepped forward in every region of the country," emphasizing a commitment to "putting the people of their districts and states first."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared as Democrats gained enough seats to flip control of the upper chamber, saying, "Against all odds, we Democrats have won the Senate." Schumer added that the party has "five words for Americans: Relief is on the way," highlighting the candidates' ability to connect with voters.
What the Right Is Saying
Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged the shift in power while emphasizing the administration’s continued role in governance. "As we head into 2027, Senate Republicans will not stand idly by as the far-left, socialist wing of the Democrat Party attempts to unwind everything we've done," Thune wrote in a post on X. He stated, "Thankfully, we still have President Trump in the White House, and we'll work with him to stop the worst impulses of Democrat extremism. We cannot let their fringe positions become the mainstream."
President Donald Trump, in a call to Fox News, conceded the victory to his opponents, saying of Democratic candidates, "I think they did a good job." Trump indicated he could work with Democrats in Congress on issues such as immigration and stated he did not plan to make changes to his Cabinet.
In Michigan, where the Senate race was also projected to lean Democratic, GOP candidate Mike Rogers urged supporters not to lose hope despite the national trend. "We're going to ask you all to go home," Rogers said at his watch party. "It's going to be a long night, but let me tell you this: there is a path for us to win this thing right here. We're very, very confident in the votes that are out, and we're going to turn this thing around."
What the Numbers Show
In Wisconsin’s 1st District, Berman’s victory is notable given Steil’s previous margin of victory. Steil won reelection in 2024 by more than 10 percentage points. Berman’s win ends a 31-year streak of Republican representation in the district, which has not elected a Democrat since 1995.
The AP projects that Democrats flipped two Republican-held House seats in Wisconsin. In the 3rd District, Rebecca Cooke unseated Rep. Derrick Van Orden. Van Orden had defeated Cooke in 2024 by fewer than 3 points, indicating a significant swing in that district as well.
Nationally, these flips contribute to Democrats expanding their majority in the House while also gaining control of the Senate. In Texas, Democrat James Talarico is projected to defeat Attorney General Ken Paxton for a Senate seat, a race that saw significant outside spending, including $212 million from Elon Musk to back Paxton.
The Bottom Line
The projected victories in Wisconsin’s 1st and 3rd districts signal a substantial shift in a key battleground state, with Democrats reclaiming seats that had been firmly in Republican hands for decades. These results, combined with flips in other states like Texas and Kansas, have led to projections of Democratic control of both the House and Senate, while the presidency remains with Donald Trump. This configuration sets the stage for a divided government in 2027, with Democrats controlling the legislative agenda and the White House retaining executive authority. Results for several races remain partial counts and are subject to change as final tallies are certified.