With Republicans falling short of a majority in the House, closely contested races in states like California, Arizona, Maine, and Ohio will determine the party's control ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Key House Races Impacting GOP Control as Results Awaited
Key House Races Impacting GOP Control as Results Awaited
As Republicans and Democrats vie for control of the House, several key races remain undecided, shaping the future of legislative power in the U.S.
The balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives remains uncertain as Republicans trail by seven seats in their quest for control. They currently hold 211 seats in Congress, needing 218 to secure the majority, while Democrats are similarly looking to gain 15 seats. The fate of the House is critical, as this chamber has the authority to initiate spending legislation and initiate impeachment proceedings.
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his inauguration on January 20, 2025, his control over the House would facilitate the implementation of tax cuts and border control measures more effectively through a unified Republican front. Nevertheless, Democrats are keeping their hopes alive, expecting that outstanding vote counts from tight races might tip the balance in their favor.
In California, five pivotal races could sway the House control towards Democrats. Notable contests include California’s 45th district, where Republican Michelle Steel is narrowly leading Democrat Derek Tran, and California’s 27th, where Democrat George Whitesides is in a tight matchup against Republican Mike Garcia, trailing by just 2 points with nearly 69% of votes counted. Other California races to watch include districts 41, 22, and 13, each with incumbents facing stiff challenges.
Arizona's races are equally precarious, with Republican Juan Ciscomani leading his Democratic opponent by a mere 0.5 points in District 6, while in District 1, David Schweikert edges out Amish Shah by 1% with approximately 69% of the tally in.
In Maine, Democrat Jared Golden is making headway in defending his seat against Republican Austin Theriault, holding onto a slim 0.1 point advantage with 93% of votes counted. Meanwhile, in Ohio, incumbent Democrat Marcy Kaptur retains a narrow lead of just 0.3 points against Republican Derek Merrin in the 9th congressional district, with nearly 95% of votes tallied.
As the dust settles on these critical races, each party is left anxiously awaiting the final results to see where the scales of power will tilt in the next Congress.
