In determining which party will control the U.S. House of Representatives for the next two years, several significant races are yet to be decided, according to reports. As of Thursday morning, Republicans are seven seats shy of the 218 necessary for a majority, while Democrats are looking to gain 15 seats. The Senate has already flipped to Republican dominance along with the White House, positioning President-elect Donald Trump for substantial control upon his January 20, 2025 inauguration.
The House, being pivotal for initiating spending legislation and overseeing impeachment proceedings, becomes a major battleground. Currently, Democrats are hoping that late-counted votes could secure them a majority, despite Republican incumbents holding narrow leads in critical races across the country.
In California, five specific seats are under close scrutiny. In the 45th district, Republican Congresswoman Michelle Steel leads Democrat Derek Tran by four points. The 27th district sees incumbent Mike Garcia edging ahead of Democrat George Whitesides by just two points. In the 41st district, Republican Ken Calvert holds a slim two-point lead over Democrat Will Rollins, with 76% of votes tallied. California's 22nd shows incumbent David Valadao leading Democrat Rudy Salas by ten points, while Republican John Duarte is just ahead of Democrat Adam Gray in the 13th district with a two-point margin.
Arizona features two critical races that remain too close to call, with margins lower than 2%. Republican Juan Ciscomani leads Democrat Kirsten Engel in the 6th district by half a point, while David Schweikert holds a 1% advantage over Democrat Amish Shah in the 1st district.
In Maine, Democrat Jared Golden is trying to retain his seat against Republican Austin Theriault, leading by less than a point, as more than 93% of votes have been counted. Furthermore, Ohio's 9th district is also closely contested, with incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur holding a mere 0.3 point lead over Republican Derek Merrin.
As votes continue to be counted, the control of the House hangs in a precarious balance, with both parties strategizing in this election's final stretch.
The House, being pivotal for initiating spending legislation and overseeing impeachment proceedings, becomes a major battleground. Currently, Democrats are hoping that late-counted votes could secure them a majority, despite Republican incumbents holding narrow leads in critical races across the country.
In California, five specific seats are under close scrutiny. In the 45th district, Republican Congresswoman Michelle Steel leads Democrat Derek Tran by four points. The 27th district sees incumbent Mike Garcia edging ahead of Democrat George Whitesides by just two points. In the 41st district, Republican Ken Calvert holds a slim two-point lead over Democrat Will Rollins, with 76% of votes tallied. California's 22nd shows incumbent David Valadao leading Democrat Rudy Salas by ten points, while Republican John Duarte is just ahead of Democrat Adam Gray in the 13th district with a two-point margin.
Arizona features two critical races that remain too close to call, with margins lower than 2%. Republican Juan Ciscomani leads Democrat Kirsten Engel in the 6th district by half a point, while David Schweikert holds a 1% advantage over Democrat Amish Shah in the 1st district.
In Maine, Democrat Jared Golden is trying to retain his seat against Republican Austin Theriault, leading by less than a point, as more than 93% of votes have been counted. Furthermore, Ohio's 9th district is also closely contested, with incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur holding a mere 0.3 point lead over Republican Derek Merrin.
As votes continue to be counted, the control of the House hangs in a precarious balance, with both parties strategizing in this election's final stretch.
