They have secured a majority seat.
The Republican Party has secured control of the U.S. House of Representatives, while also retaining control of the Senate and the White House. According to The Hill Decision Desk HQ, Republicans will win at least 218 seats in the House, which is the minimum required for a majority, though the final seat count is still uncertain due to ongoing ballot counting in California. Despite this uncertainty, the GOP’s victories are seen as a significant political achievement, with many considering it a “trifecta” for the party.
In addition to the House and Senate victories, President-elect Donald Trump triumphed over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in a historic election. Trump’s victory marks the first time in U.S. history that a convicted felon has won the presidency, as he was found guilty in a “hush money” case. Despite this, Trump continues to deny the charges and is appealing the verdict. This outcome also marks Trump’s return to the presidency, having won non-consecutive terms, a feat last achieved by Grover Cleveland in the late 1800s.
The race for the House remained uncertain until the final results were counted, with key races, including Rep. David Valadao’s victory in California and Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride’s historic win as the first openly transgender candidate elected to Congress. In Colorado, Republican Gabe Evans defeated incumbent Rep. Yadira Caraveo, who conceded the race early. These elections marked significant wins for Republicans, with McBride’s victory serving as a notable breakthrough in LGBTQ+ political representation.
In the Senate, Republicans secured at least 53 seats, with key victories including Gov. Jim Justice’s win in West Virginia and Bernie Moreno’s defeat of Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in Ohio. The GOP’s control of both chambers of Congress, along with the presidency, allows them to solidify their political influence heading into the next term.
Despite these wins, the election forecast was tight, with Sabato’s Crystal Ball predicting a narrow 218-217 split in the House. This forecast suggested the presidential and House races would likely align, though there was little confidence in the final outcome. As of now, the identity of the Senate majority leader remains unclear, as Sen. Mitch McConnell has announced plans to step down as the leader of the Senate GOP at the end of the current Congress.
