Control of the House of Representatives at stake; see the balance sheet

by Junna Base November 8, 2024

According to the Associated Press, Democrats had 199 seats in the House of Representatives, while Republicans had claimed 211 seats as of Friday morning, 218 of which were needed for control.

WASHINGTON – Control of the House of Representatives remains up for grabs as votes continue to be counted in crucial U.S. House races. Both parties hope to win the lower house by 2025. It is a last chance for power for the Democrats after Donald Trump claimed the White House. In the House of Representatives, the Republicans gained the majority in the Senate.

To govern the House of Representatives, 218 seats are required, and although no party has met the threshold, the numbers appear to be in favor of the Republican Party. According to the Associated Press, Democrats gained 199 seats as of Friday morning, while Republicans claimed 211 seats. Two dozen races remained too close to call.

Here you can follow the latest results from coast to coast and see the races in your state. Stay informed with live coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

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California: It remains a close race for Katie Porter’s seat

With 71% of votes counted as of 9:30 a.m. Friday, fewer than 700 votes separated the candidates in a race to represent California’s District 47, which covers Orange County and includes Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. It’s a fight for the seat previously held by Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat, after she failed in the Senate.

This year’s race is between two attorneys: Democrat Dave Min and Republican Scott Baugh, who is currently ahead but lost to Porter by more than 9,000 votes in 2022. Baugh is a former member of the California Assembly and was chairman of the Orange County Republican Party for a decade. Min worked for U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer as a senior economic adviser and was elected by voters to the California Senate in 2020.

-Rachel Barber

Nebraska: “Blue Dot” district remains unnamed

Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha, has not yet called as of Friday morning. Republican Rep. Don Bacon is seeking re-election in the district dubbed the “blue dot.”

The nickname came after voters there went for Biden by more than 6 percentage points in 2020. Harris also won the district and his only electoral vote that year by 3.7 points.

Bacon will face Democratic challenger and state Senator Tony Vargas for the second time. With nearly 95% of the vote counted and a 2.8-point lead, Bacon is on track to secure a fifth term in Congress. Earlier this year, he fended off a conservative hardliner and Omaha businessman, Dan Frei, who had the backing of the Nebraska Republican Party in the state’s primary.

-Savannah Kuchar

If Republicans win control of the House of Representatives, the party will control both chambers of Congress and the White House – a trifecta. From quickly appointing Trump’s Cabinet picks to major policy changes, Republicans in Congress are likely to use their influence to push Trump’s priorities and are likely to face few obstacles from the Democratic minority.

“This historic election proved that a majority of Americans want secure borders, lower costs, peace through strength and a return to common sense,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement Wednesday The House has not yet convened as Republicans and Democrats insist it is still in play.

— Riley Beggin

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