Here are some of the House seats that Democrats didn't expect to win — but did

Democrats secured a significant victory in the 2022 midterm elections, capturing control of both the House and Senate. The party's stunning win marked the biggest majority in more than three decades and came with several notable winners and losers.

The most prominent winner was House Speaker-designate Hakeem Jeffries, who will become the first Black speaker in American history. His position grants him control over spending and the power to subpoena, which are critical for the incoming Democratic administration. Although Jeffries faces opposition from Democratic fringe members, he can afford at least three dozen defections without losing his majority.

Donald Trump, who had urged voters to "pretend I'm on the ballot," suffered a massive defeat. His approval rating among midterm voters was at 37%, and he only secured 44% of the electorate, which was a far cry from the 49.8% he achieved in 2024. Trump's endorsement of controversial candidates like Ken Paxton, Darline Graham, and Michael Whatley backfired, with these candidates losing by significant margins.

Moderate Democrats benefited from the election, running candidates such as Adam Hamilton in Kansas, a pediatrician in South Carolina, and a former governor in North Carolina. These candidates resonated with independents and moderates who were tired of Trump's divisive rhetoric. As a result, moderates backed Democrats for the House by a 20-point margin, a significant shift from the support they gave to Democratic candidates like Kamala Harris.

Progressive Democrats also saw success in the primaries and general elections. Abdul El-Sayed, a Bernie Sanders ally, won a Senate seat in Michigan, becoming the first Muslim elected to the Senate. Peggy Flanagan and Troy Jackson won in Minnesota and Maine, respectively, both from the progressive wing of the party. This left-wing victory could potentially give progressives a strong bloc in Congress, which could pressure House Speaker-designate Jeffries to manage the party's agenda more in line with progressive values.

Loser candidates included Ken Paxton, the attorney general of Texas, who lost by 12 points in the state despite Trump's endorsement. Similarly, Republican hopefuls in Iowa and Ohio, as well as Michael Whatley, faced heavy losses due to their support for Trump. The Graham name, once synonymous with South Carolina's Senate seat, was derailed when sister Darline Graham faced criticism for her lack of foreign policy experience.

In the end, the Democrats' victory in the midterm elections has set the stage for significant changes in Washington, with a potential boost for Ukraine and a more assertive stance on progressive values in Congress.