Control of the House is still up in the air as several key races have yet to be decided, leaving lawmakers and voters eagerly awaiting the results to see which party will hold the majority next year. As of Thursday evening, Republicans had secured 213 seats in the House, while Democrats were trailing with 200 seats, according to Decision Desk HQ. There are a total of 22 races that have not been called, with Democrats leading in 13 contests and GOP candidates ahead in the other nine.
Despite the uncertainty, Republicans are already claiming victory, with Speaker Mike Johnson stating that the House is poised to remain in GOP hands. On the other hand, Democrats are hopeful that they could secure a slim majority. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized that the final outcome is still pending as ballot counting continues in states like Oregon, Arizona, and California.
One of the closely watched races is in California’s 21st congressional district, where Rep. Jim Costa is fighting for his political life against Democrat Michael Maher. Costa, a 10-term lawmaker, is currently leading by a narrow margin, despite the district being expected to lean towards Democrats. A victory by Maher would flip the district red, which would be a significant upset.
In California’s 9th congressional district, Rep. Josh Harder is in a tight race against Republican Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln. Harder, who was first elected in 2018, is currently leading, but the race remains competitive. A win by Lincoln would be a boost for Republicans in a district that typically leans blue.
The race to succeed outgoing Rep. Katie Porter in California’s 47th congressional district is also heating up, with Republican Scott Baugh and Democratic state Sen. Dave Min neck-and-neck for the seat. Baugh is currently leading, and a victory would mark the first time the district has a GOP representative since 2003.
In Maryland’s 6th congressional district, Democrat April McClain-Delaney is locked in a tight race against Republican Neil Parrott to succeed outgoing Rep. David Trone. The margin between the two candidates is slim, with the race rated as a “lean Democrat” by Cook Political Report.
These are just a few examples of the critical races that will ultimately determine which party controls the House next year. The outcome of these races will have a significant impact on the legislative agenda and priorities moving forward. As the final results are awaited, both parties are closely monitoring the developments in these key battlegrounds to see who will come out on top.
