Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Forecast Favors Democrats to Retake House in Midterm Elections
A political forecaster says Democrats now have a better chance of winning the House of Representatives.
The change happened about one month before the midterm elections.
Cook Political Report changed its ratings for 15 races in favor of Democrats.
It now expects Democrats to be favored in 208 districts.
Republicans are favored in 205 districts.
Democrats need to win three more seats than they currently hold to control the chamber.
The forecast says Democrats could gain five to 15 seats.
If that happens, Democrats could hold between 220 and 230 seats in the next Congress.
Cook Political Report moved 15 House races in Democrats’ direction.
Democrats are now favored in 208 districts, compared with 205 for Republicans.
Democrats need to flip three seats to take House control.
Cook projects Democrats could gain between five and 15 seats.
The forecast comes about a month before the midterm elections.
- Who
- Democrats, Republicans, and the Cook Political Report.
- What
- A new forecast favors Democrats to win back the House of Representatives.
- When
- About one month before the midterm elections; the race-rating changes were announced Friday.
- Where
- U.S. House districts.
- Why
- The political map shifted against House Republicans, and 15 races were moved in Democrats’ direction.
- Democratic districts favored
- 208
- Republican districts favored
- 205
- Seats Democrats need to flip
- 3
- Races moved toward Democrats
- 15
- Projected Democratic gain
- 5 to 15 seats
- Projected Democratic majority
- 220 to 230 seats