The battle for control of the US House of Representatives is reaching a critical point as Republicans and Democrats await election results from several key races. Republicans are currently seven seats short of the 218 needed for control, while Democrats require 15 additional seats to secure a majority. The Senate and the White House have already transitioned to Republican leadership, paving the way for President-elect Donald Trump to assume full control starting January 20, 2025.
Control of the House is significant, as it enables the majority party to initiate spending legislation and initiate impeachment proceedings. Live updates continue to shed light on Trump’s electoral victory, along with the immediate implications for the House landscape.
Democrats are particularly focused on five contested seats in California, which could be pivotal for reclaiming the House. In California's 45th District, incumbent Republican Michelle Steel maintains a 4-point lead over Democratic challenger Derek Tran. California's 27th District sees incumbent Mike Garcia narrowly ahead against Democrat George Whitesides by just 2 points. Similarly, Republican incumbents Ken Calvert and David Valadao lead their respective challengers by slight margins in their districts. In California's 13th District, Republican John Duarte is ahead of Democrat Adam Gray by a slim 2-point margin.
Over in Arizona, two hotly contested races are neck-and-neck, with Republican Juan Ciscomani leading Democrat Kirsten Engel by a razor-thin 0.5 points, while David Schweikert holds a 1% lead over Democrat Amish Shah.
In Maine, incumbent Democrat Jared Golden battles to maintain his lead against Republican challenger Austin Theriault, with the race tight at less than a point. Meanwhile, in Ohio, veteran Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur clings to a narrow 0.3 point lead over Republican Derek Merrin in a closely watched contest encompassing Toledo.
The outcomes of these significant races will ultimately shape the direction of governance in the upcoming years.
