As Trump retakes power, did Republicans take the House of Representatives?

With House members facing re-election every two years, the competition for control has tightened significantly.

With nearly 60 House elections yet to be decided, either party could still take control of the chamber. For Democrats, winning a House majority would be crucial for maintaining influence in Washington and serving as a counterbalance to Donald Trump’s power. On the other hand, if Republicans secure the House, they’ll have an easier path to advancing Trump’s agenda, from extending tax cuts and bolstering strict border policies to dismantling parts of the federal government.

However, it may take time to confirm which party will hold the House. So far, neither has gained a clear advantage in key races, with many close contests nationwide.

The Cook Political Report as cited by NBC, has highlighted 22 “toss-up” seats as key battlegrounds, with Democrats holding 10 of these seats and Republicans defending 12. Additionally, a number of districts lean toward one party but remain highly contested.

New York and California are particularly pivotal in this election, housing 10 of the most competitive districts in the country. Although Vice-President Kamala Harris is expected to win both states at the presidential level, Republicans are working hard to secure or flip downballot seats. In New York, Republicans are defending several seats they flipped in 2022, with Democratic challenger John Mannion defeating GOP Rep. Brandon Williams in Syracuse. Other Republican representatives, including Marc Molinaro, Mike Lawler, and Anthony D’Esposito, are facing stiff challenges in their re-election bids. Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan managed to retain his seat in New York’s Hudson Valley, defeating Republican Alison Esposito.

In Pennsylvania, Republican candidate Rob Bresnahan unseated six-term Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright, who represented President Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton. Meanwhile, California’s central and southern districts are seeing similarly fierce competition, with at least five GOP incumbents struggling to hold onto their seats amid a highly competitive race.

As results continue to roll in, the narrow battlefield underscores the closely contested nature of this House race, which could shift control and grant Democrats the power to hold the speaker’s gavel and chair key committees if they prevail.

(With Inputs from Associated Press)