The 2022 midterm elections had Republicans eagerly anticipating a red wave while Democrats braced for a surge that could hand the GOP up to 40 House seats and controlling majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. To the Republicans’ dismay (and the Democrats’ relief), the wave never reached shore, and Democrats outperformed expectations and historical midterm elections norms.

At the time of this report’s publication, Democrats will retain control of the Senate after Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s race was decided on Nov. 12, giving Democrats a 50-49 seat majority. A Dec. 6 runoff election in Georgia will determine whether Democrats can extend that lead to 51-49 seats. Control of the House of Representatives has not yet been determined. Republicans have not yet reached the 218 seats needed for a majority but are expected to do so, albeit, by a much slimmer margin than predicted.