These Are the Faces of the Democrats’ Election-Night Ecstasy

The polls and pundits were wrong—just not in the way that Democrats feared. A party faithful that was moderately confident of winning back the House of Representatives, while praying that the Senate was also in play, instead witnessed a historic electoral tsunami on Tuesday that wiped out Republicans even in red states like Texas, Iowa, South Carolina, and Kansas. The Democrats’ shock, and joy, was something to behold.

Supporters hug during the election night watch party for James Talarico — Supporters hug during the election-night watch party for Texas state Representative James Talarico, who defeated Ken Paxton in a race for U.S. Senate.
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Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, claps at an election-night watch party for Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa — Luci Baines Johnson, daughter of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, attends an election-night watch party for Democratic Texas state Representative Gina Hinojosa, who ousted Governor Greg Abbott.
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A supporter cries during a midterm election night watch party for James Talarico — A Talarico supporter weeps tears of joy.
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People cheer during an election night watch party for Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate, State Rep. Gina Hinojosa — Hinojosa supporters cheer the election results.
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Attendees cheer during an election night event with Troy Jackson, Democratic US Senate candidate for Maine in Portland, Maine — Supporters at the election-night watch party for Troy Jackson, who ousted longtime Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine
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Supporters react during an Election Night watch party for Democratic US Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during the US midterm elections in Detroit, Michigan — Supporters of Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed rejoice at his election-night watch party in Detroit.
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Supporters cheer during a midterm election night watch party for Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed at the Department at Hudson's on November 04, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. — El-Sayed supporters cheer the election results.
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Democratic Senate candidate Joshua Turek of Iowa celebrates his victory during a midterm election night party at Iowa Historical Building and Museum in Des Moines, Iowa — Democratic Senate candidate Joshua Turek of Iowa celebrates his victory.
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Supporters celebrate Democrat senatorial candidate Adam Hamilton's victory at a midterm election night party at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas — Supporters of Democratic Senate candidate Adam Hamilton cheer at an election-night party in Overland Park, Kansas.
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Georgia Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-GA) pose for a selfie with attendees during an election night watch party at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis on November 03, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia — Georgia Governor-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (third and second from right, respectively) pose for a selfie during an election-night watch party in Atlanta.
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Democrat Darializa Avila Chevalier's supporters celebrate her election to the U.S. House in the New York 13th Congressional District at a DSA watch party at The Harlem Tavern in New York City — Democrat Darializa Avila Chevalier’s supporters celebrate her election to the U.S. House in New York’s 13th congressional district.
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Attendees react to results while attending a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) midterm watch party in Washington, DC. — The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee held a watch party in Washington, D.C.
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Supporters gesture during Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra's election night rally during the US midterm elections, in Sacramento, California. — Supporters of California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra raise their fists at his election-night rally in Sacramento.
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Zach Dembo reacts after winning the US House — Kentucky District 6, defeating Republican Ralph Alvarado in the 2026 midterm election night November 3, 2026 in Lexington, Ky — Democrat Zach Dembo reacts after winning a U.S. House seat in Kentucky’s 6th district.
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