Control of the house on the line; see the count

On By Littum

Democrats held 199 seats in the House, while Republicans had claimed 211 as of Friday morning, according to the Associated Press, with 218 needed for control.

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WASHINGTON – Control of the House of Representatives remains up for grabs as votes continue to be counted in crucial US House races where both parties hope to capture the lower chamber in 2025. It’s a last chance for power for Democrats after Donald Trump claimed the White House , while Republicans gained a majority in the Senate.

It will take 218 seats to control the House, and while neither party has reached the threshold, the numbers appear to favor the GOP. The Associated Press count put Democrats at 199 seats, while Republicans had claimed 211 as of Friday morning. Two dozen runs remained too close to call.

You can follow the latest results from coast to coast and see the races in your state here. Stay up to date with live coverage from across the USA TODAY Network.

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California: There’s a close race left for Katie Porter’s seat

With 71% of the votes counted as of Friday at As of 9:30 a.m., fewer than 700 votes separated the candidates in a race to represent California District 47, which encompasses Orange County and includes Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. It is a battle to take the seat previously held by Rep. Katie Porter, a Democrat, after her unsuccessful bid for the Senate.

This year’s race is between two attorneys: Democrat Dave Min and Republican Scott Baugh, who is currently ahead but lost to Porter by more than 9,000 votes in 2022. Baugh is a former member of the California Assembly and served as chairman of the Orange County Republican Party for a decade. Min worked for US Senator Chuck Schumer as a senior economic adviser, and voters elected him to the California Senate in 2020.

– Rachel Barber

Nebraska: The ‘Blue dot’ district remains unnamed

Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, which includes Omaha, is still uncalled Friday morning. Republican Rep. Don Bacon is seeking re-election in the district dubbed “the blue dot.”

The nickname came after voters there went for Biden by more than 6 percentage points in 2020. Harris also won the district and its one electoral vote this year by 3.7 points.

Bacon is facing Democratic challenger and state Sen. Tony Vargas for a second term. With nearly 95% of the vote counted and a 2.8 point lead, Bacon is on track to serve a fifth term in Congress. Earlier this year, he fended off a hardline conservative and Omaha businessman, Dan Frei, who had the backing of Nebraska’s GOP in the state’s primary.

– Savannah Kuchar

If Republicans win control of the House, the party will control both chambers of Congress and the White House — a trifecta. From quick appointments of Trump’s cabinet picks to major changes in policy, Republicans in Congress are likely to use their influence to promote Trump’s election. priorities and will likely face few roadblocks from the Democratic minority.

“This historic election has proven that a majority of Americans are eager for secure borders, lower costs, peace through strength and a return to common sense,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement Wednesday, even as the House has yet to be called for Republicans, and Democrats insist it’s still in play.

— Riley Beggin

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