Republican Party projected to have a majority in the US House of Representatives
The United States Capitol is pictured. The Republican Party will keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives come January, the Associated Press projects. (Myka Fromm/Daily Bruin senior staff)
By Paco Bacalski
Nov. 13, 2024 8:17 p.m.
Republicans have won a majority in the United States House of Representatives, the Associated Press projected.
The AP called the race in Arizona’s 6th Congressional District in favor of Rep. Juan Ciscomani, the incumbent Republican, at 7:27 p.m. Wednesday, officially giving the House Republican Conference a majority of the 435-member chamber. Ciscomani narrowly won reelection over Democratic nominee Kirsten Engel with 49.6% of the vote as of 7:39 p.m. Wednesday, with an estimated 95% of votes counted.
Ciscomani’s victory returns Republicans to power in the House, which they have held since winning a majority in the 2022 elections.
The result in the House comes after the GOP secured the presidency and the U.S. Senate. Starting in January, Republicans will have full control of the federal government for the first time since 2019, giving President-elect Donald Trump a clearer path to enacting his agenda.
[Related: Republicans projected to assume control of United States Senate]
In 2024, Republicans gained ground in states such as North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Colorado, while the Democratic Party flipped Republican-held seats in California, New York, Alabama and Louisiana, according to NBC News.
Los Angeles County saw several battleground races that were crucial in determining control of the House this year. In California’s 27th District, located in northern LA County, AP projected that Democrat George Whitesides unseated incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Garcia. In the 45th District, which spans portions of LA and Orange counties, Rep. Michelle Steel, the Republican incumbent, remains locked in a tight contest with Democratic challenger Derek Tran.
The 2024 House elections saw several historic firsts. In Delaware’s at-large congressional district, Democrat Sarah McBride won her race to become the first openly transgender person ever elected as a U.S. representative. Emily Randall, who won election to Washington’s 6th District as a Democrat, will be the first openly LGBTQ+ Latina in Congress.
As of 7:39 p.m. Wednesday, Republicans are projected to have won 218 seats, while Democrats have won 208. Nine races remain uncalled by AP.
