WASHINGTON - Democrats head into next year's elections with a fighting chance to win back the U.S. House of Representatives, after victories that showcase sharply different visions of the party as it seeks to claw back some power in a Washington dominated by Republican President Donald Trump.

The most critical win for Democrats' House hopes came in California on Tuesday, when voters approved a ballot measure to allow state lawmakers to adopt a new congressional map that could net the party as many as five new seats, offsetting a comparable move in Texas to benefit Republicans in a nationwide battle over redistricting.

Republicans are eager to seize on New York City's mayor-elect — democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, a state representative with a sweeping progressive agenda — who Trump and his allies will seek to portray as the face of the Democratic Party in the November 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of the U.S. Congress for the final two years of Trump's term.

But two moderate Democrats elected governor, former Representative Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Representative Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey, were also catapulted onto the national stage after winning their states by sizable margins, presenting contrasting versions of the party.

Tuesday's highest-profile contests occurred in Democratic-leaning territory that will play little role in the races that will determine control of Congress.

“I don’t think we can use tonight as a total painted picture of what the next election cycle's going to be,” said Antjuan Seawright, a South Carolina-based Democratic strategist. “So I think we have to make sure we continue to motivate, educate and galvanize the constituencies that came out tonight to make sure we keep them in the Democratic column.”

HISTORICALLY, THE HOUSE FLIPS

Republicans hold a 219-213 majority in the House and a 53-47 majority in the Senate. To win the Senate, Democrats would need to defend seats in highly competitive states including Georgia, Michigan and Minnesota while also making inroads in Republican-held states including Flo...