Democratic Party candidate Adam Gray defeated John Duarte of the Republican Party to win a seat in the House of Representatives. Thus, the slim Republican advantage in the chamber decreased even further. And this may mean problems in implementing President-elect Donald Trump's election promises.
A month after the election, the winner of the last unresolved duel for a seat in the US House of Representatives was selected. In California, Democrat Adam Gray defeated incumbent Republican Congressman John Duarte.
After all the votes were counted, it turned out that Gray won by only 187 votes. Two years earlier, he lost to Duarte by less than 500 votes.
Republicans with a majority in the House, albeit a slim one
The outcome means that although Republicans will retain control of the House of Representatives, their advantage will be fragile. From January 3, the new balance of power will be 220 to 215 in their favor. Their advantage will also decrease by two seats compared to the previous elections.
In practice, soon after the inauguration of the new Congress, the Republican advantage will shrink to two votes, because three congressmen will resign – Elise Stefanik from New York and Mike Waltz and Matt Gaetz from Florida.
Their successors will be elected in by-elections, probably in the spring of 2025, but all three represent “safe” districts for Republicans, so the balance of power in the House will probably not change. However, such a small advantage may mean significant problems in implementing President-elect Donald Trump's campaign promises due to internal divisions in the ruling party. Already in the current House, the Republican Party has repeatedly lost votes despite having a majority.
They are still counting votes
Despite the final House duel being resolved, all votes cast in November's presidential election have still not been counted. According to the Associated Press, after 99 percent of the votes nationwide were counted, Trump won less than 77.2 million votes (49.9 percent), while Kamala Harris – 74.9 million (48.4 percent).
Trump is the first Republican candidate to win more votes than a Democratic candidate since George W. Bush's result in 2004, but his lead in votes cast nationwide will be the second smallest since 1968.
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