The race for the majority in the House of Representatives is heating up as Republicans edge closer to securing control, having already claimed the Senate and the White House. According to Associated Press projections, Republicans currently hold 210 seats compared to Democrats' 198 as of Friday morning. Five sitting House lawmakers, including three Republicans and two Democrats, are projected to lose their re-election bids.
Key races in California involving GOP incumbents remain undecided and are expected to play a crucial role in determining the House majority. Additionally, races in Arizona, Nebraska, Iowa, and Oregon, where GOP lawmakers are awaiting result projections, could sway the balance of power.
The magic number of 218 seats will determine which party holds the House majority in the upcoming 119th Congress. House Republican leaders have expressed confidence in their prospects, with the top four House leaders already vying to retain their positions in a potential January House majority.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., expressed optimism about the Republicans' chances, particularly highlighting the importance of California in the outcome of close races. Despite the Democrats' diminishing hopes of securing the majority, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., emphasized the need to wait for clear results in Oregon, Arizona, and California before determining the final outcome.
Democrats have made significant gains by unseating Republican incumbents in three New York seats, while Republicans have managed to flip three seats, including one vacated by a Democrat in Michigan and two districts held by moderate Democrats in Pennsylvania. Notably, former House Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry, R-Pa., is projected to survive a tough re-election battle.
