Republicans solidified their control of the House of Representatives on Wednesday by retaining key seats in Arizona and California, as well as defeating incumbent Democrats in battleground districts. This development grants the G.O.P. a governing trifecta in Washington, enabling them to advance President-elect Donald J. Trump’s agenda.
The exact margin of the Republican majority remains unclear, with preliminary counts suggesting they may hold only a narrow advantage over Democrats. Some critical contests in the West are still being tallied, and several races remain too close to call.
The resignation of Representative Matt Gaetz from Florida added complexity to the Republican majority, following President-elect Trump’s intention to nominate him for attorney general. Despite this, Democratic leader Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York conceded that his party fell short, while the Associated Press declared Republicans as having effectively secured control after calling an Arizona race for Representative Juan Ciscomani.
Even a slim majority represents a significant achievement for Republicans, who had been concerned about voter backlash due to previous chaos and dysfunction in the House under their leadership. G.O.P. leaders have expressed their intent to swiftly pass legislation, including extensive tax cuts, deregulation of domestic oil and gas production, and strict border security measures.
“Republicans in the House and Senate have a mandate,” Speaker Mike Johnson stated at a news conference on Tuesday. “It was a decisive win across the nation.” He further emphasized their commitment to an “America First” agenda.
The election results reflected a nationwide disenchantment with the Biden-Harris administration, contributing to a significant red wave. Many House Democrats struggled to overcome unfavorable conditions, with notable defeats in Pennsylvania, where Republicans ousted long-serving incumbents such as Representative Matt Cartwright and Representative Susan Wild.
While several Democratic incumbents managed to outperform expectations in predominantly Republican areas, the overall outcome was disappointing for the party. Democratic candidates faced significant difficulties in races across the country, with Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska securing a fourth term despite a liberal-leaning constituency, and incumbents in Iowa and Arizona successfully defending their seats, ultimately leaving Democrats short of the 218 seats needed to regain control.