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Republicans close in on House. Here are races still to watch

Rachel Looker - BBC News, Washington
3 min read
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Republican Congresswoman Michelle Steel
Michelle Steel, a Republican, is up against Democrat Derek Tran in California's 45th congressional district [Getty Images]

The Republican Party is four seats short of winning majority control of the US House of Representatives, which would make it easier for Donald Trump to enact his agenda.

On Monday morning, the party was at 214 seats, just short of the 218 needed to take control of the lower chamber of Congress, according to projections by Reuters.

The Senate, or upper chamber, and the White House have already flipped to Republicans - meaning the new president-elect could have significant power after he is sworn in on 20 January 2025.

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Control of the House will give Republicans the ability to initiate spending legislation and launch impeachment proceedings against officials.

Under Trump, a unified Republican Party could more easily push through tax cuts and introduce border control measures.

Here are some of the races that have yet to be called.

Map showing the in-progress results for House seat races in US states. All 435 seats are up for a vote. Democrats have won 205 seats. Republicans have won 214 seats. 218 needed for a majority.
[BBC]

California

The key races to watch are:

  • California's 45th congressional district: Republican Congresswoman Michelle Steel, the incumbent, has been leading against Democrat Derek Tran

  • California's 27th: Democrat George Whitesides is challenging incumbent Republican Congressman Mike Garcia. Garcia has been leading by a narrow margin

  • California's 41st: Incumbent Republican Congressman Ken Calvert is running against Democrat Will Rollins, and has also been leading by a narrow margin

  • California's 22nd: Democrat Rudy Salas is challenging incumbent Republican Congressman David Valadao, who has been enjoying a lead

  • California's 13th: Incumbent Republican Congressman John Duarte is running against Democrat Adam Gray, and has been leading

US House of Representatives chamber in the US Capitol
[Getty Images]

Arizona

Republican Congressman Juan Ciscomani
Juan Ciscomani, a Republican, is up against Democrat Kirsten Engel in Arizona's 6th [Getty Images]

There are two closely-watched races in this swing state.

Republican Juan Ciscomani, the Republican, appears to be neck and neck with his Democratic challenger, Kirsten Engel, in Arizona's 6th district, located in the south-east corner of the state.

In Arizona's 1st district, David Schweikert has a slight lead over Democratic challenger Amish Shah. This district covers north-eastern Maricopa County, outside Phoenix.

Maine

Democrat Congressman Jared Golden
Democrat Congressman Jared Golden is trying to hold off a challenge from Austin Theriault, a Republican [Getty Images]

Incumbent Democratic Congressman Jared Golden is fighting to keep his seat in Maine's 2nd congressional district - one of two congressional districts in the state. This encompasses the majority of the state north of Augusta and Portland.

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Golden is currently leading in the race against his Republican challenger, Austin Theriault. Almost all votes have been counted.

Ohio

Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur
Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur wants to hang onto her seat against Republican rival Derek Merrin [Getty Images]

Democrats are looking to hold onto one seat in Ohio's 9th congressional district, which encompasses Toledo in the state's north.

Incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who has served in Congress since 1983, narrowly leads in the race against her Republican challenger, Derek Merrin.

What Happens When You Become US President?

A BBC graphic advertises "US Election Unspun: The newsletter that cuts out the noise around the presidential race".
[BBC]

North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher makes sense of the race for the White House in his twice-weekly US Election Unspun newsletter. Readers in the UK can sign up here. Those outside the UK can sign up here.

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