With the House race still undecided, Republicans need seven more seats to gain the majority. Democrats are holding onto slim hopes in several key districts, especially in California and Arizona, as tight races continue to unfold.
Control of the House Hangs in the Balance: Key Races to Watch
Control of the House Hangs in the Balance: Key Races to Watch
As Republicans and Democrats vie for control of the House of Representatives, several closely contested races could sway the balance of power.
The power dynamics in the US House of Representatives remain uncertain as both major parties vie for control after the elections. Following the results of Tuesday's voting, Republicans are trailing by seven seats, with the crucial threshold for control set at 218. Meanwhile, Democrats are aiming for a daunting 15-seat gain.
With the Senate and the White House already shifting to Republican control, President-elect Donald Trump stands poised to wield significant influence once he is inaugurated on January 20, 2025. The significance of the House is paramount, as it holds the power to initiate spending legislation and instigate impeachment proceedings against officials.
Live updates reflect Trump's sweeping electoral victory, while analysis continues on the various factors that contributed to his success. As the results continue to pour in, the focus shifts to several high-stakes congressional races.
California remains a focal point for Democrats with hopes pinned on five pivotal seats. Close contests see Republican incumbents clinging to slight edges:
- In California’s 45th district, Congresswoman Michelle Steel is leading Democrat Derek Tran by a narrow margin of four points.
- California’s 27th district shows Democrat George Whitesides trailing Republican Mike Garcia by just two points.
- In California’s 41st, incumbent Republican Ken Calvert is narrowly ahead of Democrat Will Rollins.
- California’s 22nd district sees incumbency favoring David Valadao over Democrat Rudy Salas, leading by ten points.
- Lastly, Republican John Duarte holds a slim two-point edge against Democrat Adam Gray in California’s 13th district.
Turning to Arizona, two races are too close to call, with both margins under two percent. Republican Juan Ciscomani leads Democrat Kirsten Engel by a mere 0.5 points in the 6th district, while David Schweikert is 1% ahead of Amish Shah in the 1st district.
Maine’s 2nd Congressional district also highlights a tight battle, where incumbent Democrat Jared Golden faces Republican Austin Theriault, with Golden maintaining a razor-thin lead of less than a point.
In Ohio, incumbent Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur is locked in a closely contested race against Republican Derek Merrin, leading by just 0.3 points in a district representing Toledo.
The next few days are critical as all eyes remain on these competitive districts, with outcomes that could reshape the political landscape and governance in the US.
