Democrats won midterm races as younger candidates and public health leaders gained seats

Democrats won a broad set of races in the 2026 US midterms, while candidates who campaigned on healthcare and public health gained office, The Guardian reported. The Guardian also reported that Democrats flipped state houses and legislatures in several states.

Democrats prevailed in multiple congressional districts whose maps had been redrawn to favor Republicans, TIME reported. Republicans had hoped to gain as many as 10 additional seats through mid-cycle redistricting. The Hill reported that more than 40 nonincumbent millennials won congressional races and that Gen Z representation in the House tripled. Republican Michael Alfonso, 27, also won a House race.

The Guardian said changes in state leadership could alter policies on abortion, gender-affirming care and vaccines. Julie Scofield of Defend Public Health said Congress may act on restoring cuts to Medicaid and SNAP and addressing premium tax credits.