WASHINGTON / ConSynSer / – Democrats flipped more than two dozen Republican-held House seats in Tuesday’s midterm elections, securing a majority as part of a sweep that also gave the party control of the Senate. The victories reached into Republican strongholds, the Emirates News Agency reported. Democrats entered the election with 214 House seats and are projected to finish with between 251 and 268, according to CBS News.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the party would win at least 255 seats. About 75 races were still undecided early Wednesday. The gains included Michigan’s 4th District, where Sean McCann defeated Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga, the vice chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Huizenga had received at least $1 million in support from crypto super PAC Fairshake. Democrats also won Michigan’s 7th and 10th districts and took three of Iowa’s four House seats.
In California, Randy Villegas defeated Rep. David Valadao in the 22nd District, Richard Pan beat Rep. Kevin Kiley in the 6th, and Marni von Wilpert defeated Jim Desmond in the 48th. Teresa Benitez-Thompson flipped Nevada’s 2nd District, defeating Republican David Flippo. Republicans were on track to lose every district they had tried to redraw in their favor, CBS News reported. Republican Jace Yarbrough did flip Texas’ 32nd District.
Senate majority of at least 54
Democrats have won enough Senate races to control at least 54 seats, CBS News projects. The party flipped seats in Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina and Maine, as first projected on election night. Alaska and Mississippi remain uncalled. In Mississippi, Democrat Scott Colom narrowly leads Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith with about 95% of the vote counted. Wins in Texas, Kansas and South Carolina were among the night’s major upsets.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer warned that Democrats would launch investigations and take President Donald Trump to court whenever Trump defies the will of the American people or the law. Schumer said Democrats would also entangle the president in “legislative razor wire.” Senate Republican Leader John Thune responded on X that Republicans still have Trump in the White House. Schumer is expected to become majority leader when the new Senate convenes in January.
Johnson steps aside
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to step aside rather than seek the post of minority leader after the losses. Trump plans to stay out of the race to replace Johnson as House Republican leader and praised Johnson as fantastic. Johnson has led House Republicans through several high-stakes fights, including a lapse in government funding earlier this year. Johnson’s decision opens a contest among House Republicans to lead the party in the minority.
Trump told CNBC that the White House and Democrats can work together on many more things than people understand. Trump has also warned of plans to use the veto pen liberally. With Democrats in control of both chambers from January, the final two years of Trump’s term will bring divided government, new congressional investigations and tougher fights over spending and nominees. Democrats will also chair every committee in both chambers.