3 House races that still have not yet been called



Although it has been over three weeks since Election Day, there are three House races that are still up in the air.

Republicans have secured their slim House majority of 219 seats while the Democrats have won 213 seats. While the GOP is expected to hold onto yet another narrow majority, several Republicans have been tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to serve in the upcoming administration. With potential House vacancies on the horizon, every race remains crucial for Republicans.

While Republicans have secured a majority in the upcoming 119th Congress, the narrow advantage is shrinking.

In California's 13th congressional district, Republican incumbent Rep. John Duarte is hoping to fend off Democratic challenger and former Rep. Adam Gray. The two candidates are currently less than 200 votes apart, with Gray inching ahead of Duarte.

Gray previously represented California's 13th congressional district from 2012 to 2022 when Duarte unseated the Democrat. Duarte defeated the then-incumbent by just 564 votes, making him the first Republican to win the district since 1974.

The district has historically been held by Democrats, and Gray is still within striking distance of Duarte, making this one of the closest House races to date.

Further south in California's 14th congressional district, Republican incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel is falling behind Democratic challenger Derek Tran. Tran has pulled ahead of Steel with an approximate 600-vote margin.

Steel was first elected to represent California's 45th congressional district in 2022. The seat was previously held for three terms by Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, who has since represented California's 47th congressional district after the state redistricted in 2021.

Although the GOP may have lost its footing in two key California seats, Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has held a narrow lead in the race for Iowa's 1st congressional district. Miller-Meeks is roughly 800 votes ahead of Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan, with just 900 votes estimated to be remaining.

Miller-Meeks was first elected to represent Iowa's 1st congressional district in 2022, defeating Bohannan by nearly seven points. Although the race is much closer this time around, Miller-Meeks still has a shot at holding onto her seat.

While Republicans have secured a majority in the upcoming 119th Congress, the narrow advantage is shrinking.

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida most recently resigned from Congress after Trump nominated him for attorney general. Gaetz later withdrew from his Cabinet bid but reaffirmed that he had no intentions of returning to Congress, leaving the seat vacant.

Fellow Floridian and Republican Rep. Mike Waltz was also tapped by Trump to serve as national security adviser in the upcoming administration. Waltz has confirmed that he intends to resign the day Trump is inaugurated on January 20.

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York was also recruited by Trump to serve in the next administration as U.N. ambassador. Although she has not yet indicated when she intends to resign, the GOP is anticipating her vacancy.

With the two Florida seats scheduled for special elections on April 1, House Republicans are bracing themselves for an estimated one-seat majority for the first two months of the 119th Congress.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Key pickup opportunities for Republicans to secure their House majority



Republicans will likely maintain their slim majority in the House, but several key races have not yet been called.

Republicans are just four seats away from the majority, currently holding 214 seats, while Democrats hold just 203 seats. In order for one party to win the majority, the party must hold at least 218 of the 435 House seats.

Although Democrats are leading 10 of the 18 uncalled races, Republicans are well on their way to maintaining their House majority.

California is the most likely path to victory for the GOP, with Republicans leading in four of the 10 uncalled congressional races. Republican incumbents John Duarte of California's 13th Congressional District, David Valadao of California's 22nd Congressional District, Ken Calvert of California's 41st Congressional District, and Michelle Steel of California's 45th Congressional District are all leading their Democratic challengers.

These four competitive California races would be enough to keep Republicans in the majority.

The GOP has another pickup opportunity in the neighboring state of Arizona. Republican incumbent Juan Ciscomani of Arizona's 6th Congressional District is currently leading Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel. Ciscomani's is the only congressional race that has not yet been called in Arizona.

Up north, Republicans are guaranteed another seat in the race for Washington's 4th Congressional District. Unlike most other states, Washington has a ranked-choice system, which allows voters to rank their candidates in preferential order rather than having a two-party primary like most other races. As a result, constituents are voting between two Republican candidates, incumbent Dan Newhouse and challenger Jerrod Sessler.

Newhouse is currently ahead of Sessler, but no matter which way the race pans out, Republicans will have secured the seat.

Similar to Washington, Alaska also adopted the ranked-choice voting system, though notably, Alaska introduced a ballot measure to end ranked-choice voting, which is currently on track to pass in the state.

Of the three Alaskan candidates, Republican challenger Nick Begich is leading Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola and independent candidate John Wayne Howe in the race for Alaska's sole congressional seat.

While the race has not yet been called, Begich is leading Peltola by four points, making the longtime red state a likely layup for the GOP.

Republicans are leading a much tighter race out east in Iowa's 1st Congressional District. Republican incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks is currently ahead of Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan by just 0.2% with 99% of the votes counted. Miller-Meeks holds just a 1,200-vote advantage.

Although Democrats are leading 10 of the 18 uncalled races, Republicans are well on their way to maintaining their House majority.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Jack Smith’s Trump Lawfare Is Still A Middle Finger To The First Amendment

Smith implicitly acknowledges that while some votes may have been fraudulent, only the DOJ can decide when it's acceptable to speak out against fraudulent votes.

Vulnerable GOPs Are Concerned Speaker Johnson’s Funding Strategy May Cost Them Reelection

'I hope it doesn’t hold up the funding'

New Conservative Climate Caucus chair announced



Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Iowa is now serving as chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, taking the reins from founder and former chair GOP Rep. John Curtis of Utah, who has shifted "to an advisory role as Chair Emeritus," according to a press release.

"I am grateful for Rep. Curtis' leadership founding and growing the Conservative Climate Caucus," Miller-Meeks noted, according to the press release. "The U.S. is a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, all while increasing energy production. As I assume leadership of the Caucus, I look forward to continuing to promote an any-of-the-above strategy for ensuring U.S. energy dominance with a globally competitive economy, while simultaneously reducing emissions for a cleaner, healthier planet."

"I could not be more excited handing the keys to one of the most effective and ambitious members of the Republican Conference to keep our Caucus moving forward," noted Curtis, who is seeking to secure a seat in the U.S. Senate. "Rep. Miller-Meeks has been a constant advocate for energy and climate issues, representing her rural and energy rich district incredibly well."

There are a more than six dozen individuals listed as caucus members, including figures such as GOP Reps. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Burgess Owens of Utah, Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Tim Burchett of Tennessee, and Paul Gosar of Arizona.

"The climate is changing, and decades of a global industrial era that has brought prosperity to the world has also contributed to that change," a webpage about the caucus claims. "Reducing emissions is the goal, not reducing energy choices."

The page states that the caucus educates House GOP lawmakers "on climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values," organizes "member and staff briefings on conservative climate proposals," brings "Republicans to the table to fight against radical progressive climate proposals that would hurt our economy, American workers, and national security," organizes "co-dels and staff-dels to better understand technologies and issues related to climate," and introduces "Republican members and staff to leaders in industry, think tanks, and more."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

This Iowa Democrat Says She Worked as an Engineer. It Was an Internship.

Democratic congressional candidate Christina Bohannan often boasts that she once worked as an environmental engineer. She always fails to mention it was an internship.

The post This Iowa Democrat Says She Worked as an Engineer. It Was an Internship. appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

EXCLUSIVE: America First Policy Institute To Host Series Of Town Halls With Members Of Congress To Promote Agenda

Highlights America First Agenda
karandaev/Getty Images

Iowa Dem wants to keep kids in ‘failing’ public schools, just not her daughter

In 2011, fourth-grader Mira Bohannan Kumar was thrilled to start her new life at Willowwind School, a private pre-K through sixth-grade school in Iowa City. Kumar "had trouble fitting in" at her old school, she told the Iowa City Press-Citizen, and she couldn't wait to take advantage of the smaller class sizes, individual attention, and advanced curriculum her newfound private education offered.

The post Iowa Dem Wants To Keep Kids in ‘Failing’ Public Schools, Just Not Her Daughter appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

Dem Inflates Résumé Ahead of Crucial Iowa House Run

During Christina Bohannan’s brief political career, the Iowa Democrat has put her experience as an environmental engineer front and center. "As a law professor, an environmental engineer and a mother, I believe I have the skills, energy and passion that Iowa City needs at this critical point in time," Bohannan wrote in May 2020.

The post Dem Inflates Résumé Ahead of Crucial Iowa House Run appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

‘Fine The Science, Not Follow The Science’: Republican Rep. Says Pelosi’s Guidance Hurts Vaccination Campaign

'Saw the vaccination numbers going down'