GOP House control/ Republican gains/ U.S. election results/ House majority/ Arizona California races/ Trump re-election impact/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Republicans picked up several key House seats on Thursday, positioning themselves to retain control, while Democrats expressed optimism about a narrow path to a majority. As more races were called, Republicans gained ground in Pennsylvania and Senate control, while Democrats flipped a seat in New York. The final count may extend into next week as close races in Arizona and California await mail-in ballot counts.
“GOP Gains Key House Seats as Democrats Hold Out Hope Quick Looks”
- GOP Confidence in House Control: Republican leaders believe they will secure a House majority, gaining ground in several battleground races.
- Democrats Eye Western Races: To win the House, Democrats need to sweep tight races in Arizona and California, where ballots are still being counted.
- Senate Power Shift: Republicans also secured a Senate majority with a key Pennsylvania win, as two races remain uncalled.
- Leadership in Flux: Republicans prepare to elect new leaders, with Speaker Mike Johnson aiming to retain his role and potential candidates emerging for Senate GOP leadership.
- Trump’s Influence: Trump’s re-election consolidates GOP power in Washington, with leaders aligning on a shared “MAGA” agenda.
GOP Gains Key House Seats as Democrats Hold Out Hope for Majority
Deep Look
Republican leaders expressed confidence on Thursday that they are on track to keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives, gaining several key seats in the latest round of race calls. Despite Republican gains, Democratic leaders insist they still see a path to the majority, with a handful of critical races in Arizona and California remaining uncalled and vote counting ongoing.
Republicans gained two hard-fought House seats in Pennsylvania, where they made substantial gains across the state’s ballot. GOP candidates Ryan Mackenzie and Robert Bresnahan defeated incumbent Democrats Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright in Pennsylvania’s Allentown and Northeast districts, respectively. These victories are part of a larger GOP push that has brought them close to maintaining House control as Congress prepares to reconvene in Washington next week.
Speaker Mike Johnson, in a letter to Republican colleagues, expressed optimism about securing an expanded majority, which would help push a Republican legislative agenda forward. “The latest data indicates that we will also hold — and likely grow — our Republican majority in the House,” Johnson said. If Republicans succeed, Johnson is expected to retain his position as House Speaker.
Democratic leaders, meanwhile, remain hopeful that remaining uncounted votes, particularly in Western states like Arizona and California, may give them a shot at a slim majority. In a conference call with fellow Democrats, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries emphasized the importance of counting every vote to ensure fair results. “We must count every vote,” Jeffries stated, underscoring that control of the House is still undecided.
The GOP’s strong performance extended to the Senate, where Republicans picked up additional seats, including a pivotal victory in Pennsylvania’s Senate race. Businessman Dave McCormick’s win over incumbent Senator Bob Casey gives Republicans a 53-seat majority in the chamber. This majority, coupled with Trump’s return to the White House, could bring significant changes to U.S. policy as GOP leaders focus on key issues like tax cuts, reduced federal regulations, and stricter immigration policies.
With Trump set to return to the presidency, GOP leaders in the House and Senate are aligning more closely with his “Make America Great Again” agenda, in contrast to the divided party stance seen during his first term. Johnson used a football metaphor in his letter to GOP members, saying he’s “ready to take the field” alongside colleagues to “play the biggest offense of our lives.”
While Johnson’s return as Speaker is likely, the question of who will lead Senate Republicans has spurred a tight race. With current Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stepping down, Republican senators are considering several options. Key contenders include South Dakota Senator John Thune, who is the Senate GOP’s current No. 2, Texas Senator John Cornyn, and Florida Senator Rick Scott, who has gained support from more conservative Senate members.
Thune, who has worked to build a stronger relationship with Trump after opposing his election fraud claims in 2020, recently spoke with Trump about Senate leadership. However, Thune has suggested that Trump refrain from influencing the leadership race, saying on Fox News, “Frankly, I think if he lets it play out, we’ll get the right person.”
Republican lawmakers are preparing to act quickly on Trump’s top policy priorities, which include broad tax cuts, stricter immigration measures, and scaling back federal operations. GOP leaders expect to face challenges in pushing legislation forward, particularly if the party holds a slim majority in the House, as defections among GOP members could hinder efforts to pass more controversial measures.
In New York, where Democrats sought to counter Republican gains, Democratic candidate Laura Gillen successfully unseated GOP incumbent Anthony D’Esposito. This marks the third Republican loss in New York, where Democrats have focused on flipping competitive seats to narrow the House gap. With additional close races still undecided in the West, Democrats are holding out hope that late-counted mail-in ballots in California and Arizona could give them a chance at majority control.
If the GOP does secure both chambers of Congress, it will mark a significant shift in the federal government, with Republicans poised to enact policy changes in line with Trump’s platform. Even so, the narrow margins in both the House and Senate may create challenges for Republicans in advancing their agenda as they prepare for new legislative sessions and potential resistance from Democrats in the coming term.
