The fresh faces of the 120th Congress arrived on Capitol Hill on Monday for Senate freshman orientation following Democrats’ takeover of the upper chamber in last week’s midterm elections.
Among the incoming senators is Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton (D-KS), the megachurch pastor who flipped a Senate seat in a state that had not elected a Democrat to the chamber since 1932. Hamilton has already signaled he wants to chart an independent course, declining to publicly endorse Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for majority leader and calling for a new kind of leadership built around bipartisanship and bringing people together. He has also said he plans to continue preaching on a limited basis.
Sen.-elect Abdul el Sayed (D-MI), who will become the first Muslim elected to the Senate, was also among those arriving for orientation. Sens.-elect James Talarico (D-TX), Roy Cooper (D-NC), and Josh Turek (D-IA), who won their states’ Senate races, were also spotted on Capitol Hill.
During orientation, Talarico found time to meet with outgoing Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX). Cornyn lost in a bitter primary to the eventual Republican nominee, Ken Paxton, who suffered a loss to Talarico. Cornyn never endorsed Paxton after his primary ousting and frequently criticized his fellow Republican during the general election.
The incoming class reflects the breadth of Democrats’ electoral victories after the party flipped at least seven Senate seats. The Associated Press called both chambers for Democrats by the early morning hours of Nov. 4.
Democrats made particularly striking gains in states President Donald Trump carried by double digits in 2024. South Carolina elected its first Democratic senator since 1998, while Texas did the same for the first time since 1988.
The new majority will now face the challenge of reconciling its competing factions while delivering on campaign promises centered on affordability, accountability, and a different approach to governing.
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Sen.-elect Peggy Flanagan (D-MN), left, Sen.-elect Juliana Stratton (D-IL), Sen.-elect Julia Letlow (R-LA)., Sen.-elect Annie Andrews (D-SC), and Sen.-elect Roy Cooper (D-NC), walk through the Capitol basement, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) -
New members of the 120th Congress gather for the first day of new member orientation at the Capitol, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) -
Sen.-elect Josh Turek (D-IA), arrives at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) -
The U.S. Capitol is seen Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) -
Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-TX), center, is escorted through the Capitol as newly elected senators arrive for orientation following a sweeping victory by Democrats in the midterm elections, in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) -
Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-TX) arrives at the U.S. Capitol, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) -
Rep.-elect Joe Strada of Florida attends an event during the first day of new member orientation at the Capitol, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) -
Sen.-elect Abdul el Sayed (D-MI) walks through the Capitol basement, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Allison Robbert) -
Sen.-elect Barry Moore (R-AL), left, and Sen.-elect Kurt Alme (R-MT) talk as newly elected senators arrive for orientation following a sweeping victory by Democrats in the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) -
From left, Sen.-elect Annie Andrews (D-SC), Sen.-elect James Talarico (D-TX), and Sen.-elect Troy Jackson (D-ME) walk together as newly elected senators arrive for orientation following a sweeping victory by Democrats in the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) -
Sen.-elect Josh Turek (D-IA), center, is followed by his wife Jarolin De Leon Reyes as newly elected senators arrive for orientation following a sweeping victory by Democrats in the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) -
The entrance to the office of Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) is seen at the Capitol, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) -
Sen.-elect Adam Hamilton (D-KS) walks through the Senate as newly elected senators arrive for orientation following a sweeping victory by Democrats in the midterm elections, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)