Historical House and Senate seat changes

President’s party has historically paid a heavy price in U.S. midterm
elections, losing seats in Congress far more often than making gains

MIDTERM ELECTIONS: SEAT CHANGE FOR PRESIDENT’S PARTY

Democrat
Republican
Gain
Loss

Sitting President
HOUSE
SENATE

1934	F.D. Roosevelt	+9	+9
1938	F.D. Roosevelt	-72	-7
1942	F.D. Roosevelt	-45	-9
1946	Truman		-56	-12
1950	Truman		-28	-6
1954	Eisenhower	-18	-1
1958	Eisenhower	-48	-13
1962	Kennedy		-4	+3
1966	Johnson		-47	-4
1970	Nixon		-12	+2
1974	Ford		-48	-5
1978	Carter		-15	-3
1982	Reagan		-26	+1
1986	Reagan		-5	-8
1990	G.H.W. Bush	-8	-1
1994	Clinton		-54	-8
1998	Clinton		+4	No change
2002	G.W. Bush	+8	+2
2006	G.W. Bush	-30	-6
2010	Obama		-63	-6
2014	Obama		-13	-9
2018	Trump		-41	+2
2022	Biden		-9	+1

35 Senate seats
and all 435 House
seats are up for
election on Nov 3

Source: American Presidency Project
Picture: Getty Images
© GRAPHIC NEWS