Politics · United States · 58 mins ago
Democrats hold a narrow lead in the race for House control
Voters are concerned about inflation and the economy ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections.
Democrats are on pace for 229 House seats in a model based on voters’ preferences, which would give them a majority.
The model allows for a result in the 230s, but Republicans still have a narrow path to hold the House.
Many voters say they are more motivated to oppose the other side than to support their own party’s plans.
More voters expect gas prices to rise if Republicans win, while few expect prices to fall under either party.
More than seven in 10 voters backing Democrats say they are voting to oppose President Donald Trump, while most Republican supporters say they are voting to support him.
Uncertain voters lean more Republican, so whether they turn out could affect the result.
Democrats hold a narrow, durable lead in the race for control of the House, according to a CBS News model.
The model estimates Democrats are on pace to win 229 seats.
Republicans still have a very narrow path to retain the majority.
Voters remain concerned about inflation and the economy, and many say they are motivated more by opposing the other side than supporting their own.
Undecided and uncertain voters tend to lean more Republican, making turnout a key question.
- Who
- Democrats and Republicans are competing for control of the House.
- What
- A CBS News model estimates Democrats are on pace for 229 seats, while Republicans retain a narrow path to a majority.
- When
- The article was published October 26, 2026, and describes the outlook as of October 25.
- Where
- The United States House of Representatives.
- Why
- Voters' concerns about inflation and the economy are shaping the race, alongside opposition to President Trump or the other party.
Democrats
Republicans
House control
Democrats
Democrats are on pace for 229 seats in the CBS News model.
Republicans
Republicans have a very narrow path to hold the majority.
Economic outlook
Democrats
More voters think they will do better financially with Democrats, although most do not expect to be better off no matter who wins.
Republicans
More voters think they will be worse off if Republicans win, and voters associate the GOP relatively more with rising gas prices.
Motivation
Democrats
More than seven in 10 voters backing Democrats say their vote is to oppose President Trump.
Republicans
Most voters backing Republicans say their vote is to support Trump.
Democrats' lead in the House race remained durable but did not expand.
CBS News reported its model estimate that Democrats were on pace for 229 House seats.
- Democratic model estimate
- 229 seats
- Republican path
- Very narrow path to hold the House majority
- Trump opposition
- More than seven in 10 Democratic voters say their congressional vote is to oppose Trump
- Publication date
- October 26, 2026