As several critical races remain unresolved, the balance of power in the House hangs in the air, keeping both lawmakers and voters in suspense regarding which party will secure the majority for the upcoming term.
Yet, with the race to 218 seats advancing, additional outcomes have emerged in recent days, bringing this electoral journey closer to its conclusion. By Friday evening, Republicans were leading with 216 seats in the House, while Democrats held 208, according to Decision Desk HQ. With 11 races still undecided, Democrats currently lead in three contests, while GOP candidates are ahead in the other eight.
The race for control of the House continues as key races remain undecided, with the balance of power hanging in the balance
Despite the incomplete results, Republicans are already signaling victory. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has expressed confidence in the GOP’s grip on the House, even launching a campaign to maintain his leadership position.
Democrats, on the other hand, are holding out hope for a narrow majority. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) noted on Thursday that the outcome remains uncertain, pointing to uncounted ballots in Oregon, Arizona, and California.
Several House races have been settled over the past couple of days, including Rep. David Schweikert’s (R) win in Arizona’s 1st District, Rep. David Valadao’s (R) reelection in California’s 22nd District, April McClain Delaney’s (D) election in Maryland’s 6th District, Rep. Andrea Salinas’s (D) reelection in Oregon’s 6th District, Rep. Julia Brownley’s (D) reelection in California’s 26th District, and Rep. Linda Sánchez’s (D) reelection in California’s 38th District.
Highlighted below are the unresolved races that could determine House control.
California’s 21st Congressional District
Rep. Jim Costa (D) is facing a tight challenge in his 21st District race in California, which unexpectedly became a close contest this cycle.
In a district previously seen as solidly Democratic, Costa currently leads Republican Michael Maher, a former FBI agent, by a slim margin of one percentage point, equating to 1,303 votes with 63.8 percent of ballots counted.
California’s 9th Congressional District
Rep. Josh Harder (D) finds himself in a tough competition against Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln (R), with the outcome poised to affect his congressional tenure.
With 63.8 percent of votes reported, Harder leads by 2.4 percentage points or 4,024 votes. Should Lincoln secure a win, it would be a GOP gain in a district Biden won by a margin in 2020.
California’s 47th Congressional District
The race for Rep. Katie Porter’s (D) successor in California’s 47th District remains close, as Republican Scott Baugh and Democrat Dave Min vie for the seat.
With 81.7 percent of votes in, Baugh leads Min by 0.4 percentage points or 1,078 votes, and a victory for Baugh would mean a GOP flip in a district that Biden carried in 2020.
Alaska’s At-Large Congressional District
In Alaska, Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola (D) trails Republican Nick Begich, as ranked-choice voting progresses in this state-wide contest.
Currently, Begich leads with 49.6 percent to Peltola’s 45.6 percent, with Trump having won Alaska by over 10 percentage points in 2020, making this a strategic GOP target.
Arizona’s 6th Congressional District
Arizona’s 6th District contest remains extremely close. Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), a first-term congressman, leads Democrat Kirsten Engel by just 0.5 percentage points, with 83.3 percent of votes counted.
California’s 13th Congressional District
Rep. John Duarte (R) is ahead of Adam Gray (D) in California’s 13th District by 2.5 percentage points, with 61.9 percent of votes in, making it one of the closest-watched contests, with Democrats aiming to gain back the district.
California’s 27th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) holds a slight edge over Democrat George Whitesides, leading by 0.4 percentage points with 80.8 percent of the vote reported, in a district Biden previously won by double digits.
California’s 41st Congressional District
Rep. Ken Calvert (R) is defending his seat in California’s 41st District, where he leads Democrat Will Rollins by 2.8 percentage points, with three-quarters of the vote counted. This district, which leaned Republican in 2020, has become a battleground.
Colorado’s 8th Congressional District
In Colorado, Rep. Yadira Caraveo (D) trails GOP challenger Gabe Evans by a narrow 0.8-point margin, with almost 90 percent of ballots counted. A Republican win here would signify a key pickup.
California’s 49th Congressional District
Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.) maintains a slight lead in his 49th District race against Matt Gunderson, leading by 3.2 percentage points with 82.8 percent of ballots counted in a Biden-backed district.
California’s 45th Congressional District
Rep. Michelle Steel (R-Calif.) is comfortably ahead of Democrat Derek Tran, leading by 2.9 percentage points with nearly 79 percent of votes in, despite this district leaning Democratic in previous elections.
