Staff Reports
Republicans are inching closer to achieving what is often referred to as the “holy grail” of Washington D.C. politics: securing a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. With wins in the White House and Senate under their belts, this is a moment for the GOP to dust off its playbooks and prepare for a governing spree. Speaker Mike Johnson from Alabama has made it clear that months of preparation have gone into achieving this pivotal moment. The GOP has been working tirelessly to keep its quarterback—let’s call it “continuity”—on the field and out of the locker room.
One might recall the so-called “red wave” of enthusiasm that failed to materialize during the 2022 midterms. However, fast forward to the present, and it appears the tide has finally turned favorably for Republicans. The party flipped several contested seats, wiping out Democratic incumbents in swing districts. Whether in Michigan, where Republican Tom Barrett reclaimed a suburban seat, or Pennsylvania, where Rob Bresnahan Jr. defeated incumbent Matt Cartwright, the Democrats are finding themselves awash in GOP victories.
Trump wins. Republicans will control the Presidency, Senate, House of Representatives and Supreme Court. It’s a historic mandate, and a rout of the liberal establishment. There are no excuses for not implementing the policy agenda he campaigned on. Let the deportations begin! pic.twitter.com/jOXNA5SwBs
— William McGimpsey (@TheZeitgeistNZ) November 6, 2024
Even weather events are seeming to lend Republicans a hand. An October hurricane in North Carolina has been dubbed the “October surprise” and helped the GOP candidates rise to the occasion, with triumphs by Brad Knott, Tim Moore, and Addison McDowell. These wins contributed to a total of four seats flipped by the Republicans. Yet, just when one might think it’s all roses for the GOP, the Democrats managed to flip a couple of seats in New York. Even so, the balance appears to be tipping in favor of the Republican caucus, which is optimistic about expanding its majority.
As the dust begins to settle, Republicans seem to have secured 197 of the 218 seats required for a functioning majority. However, the Democrats are also holding on to 177 seats, and various races remain too close to call. With some states like Arizona and California moving at the speed of molasses in counting votes, the final tally could drag on for weeks or even months—an exhausting scenario that is all too familiar at this point. The nail-biting continues as Rep. Johnson emphasizes the need for caution and mentions that New York and California have always been critical for majority control.
The odds, at least according to political betting markets, are stacked heavily in favor of Republicans maintaining House control, with a confident 93% likelihood looming in the air. Despite this optimism, Johnson remains cautious about taking anything for granted. After all, there are still plenty of uncertainties left to navigate, particularly with those seats hovering precariously under question marks. Perhaps it’s wise for the GOP to stay vigilant, as elections are notorious for their capacity to surprise, especially in states known for their complicated ballot counts.
