The final verdict of the House of Representatives' composition, a month after Election Day, has been declared.
The concluding race has been determined, marking the end of a suspenseful electoral period.
In the 13th Congressional District of California, Democrat Adam Gray has triumphed over the incumbent Republican Rep. John Duarte. According to Straight Arrow News, all ballots have been meticulously counted, confirming Gray's victory.
This Democratic win shifts the current House election tally to 220 Republican victories against 215 for the Democrats. However, the Republican majority is set to thin out to a precarious 217-215 lead due to the imminent departure of three Republican House members. These members have been nominated to President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet, creating a vacuum in their respective seats.
In the immediate aftermath of the election, Trump nominated Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for the position of attorney general. Gaetz subsequently resigned from the House and later withdrew his name from consideration. Consequently, a special election has been scheduled for April 1, 2025, in northwest Florida.
Another Florida representative, Mike Waltz, is on course to become the national security adviser in the Trump administration, necessitating his departure from Congress on January 20. The Daytona Beach area of Florida is also set to host a special election on April 1.
In northern New York, Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik has been selected by Trump for the role of U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The timeline for her departure from Congress remains unannounced.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is legally obligated to set a date for a special election within ten days of Stefanik's resignation. This election must occur within a 70 to 80-day window.
The departure of these Republicans and the uncertainty surrounding the special elections' outcomes leave the GOP with a razor-thin margin to advance their agenda in Congress in early 2025. It is reported that House Speaker Mike Johnson has implored President-elect Trump to refrain from nominating any more House Republicans for cabinet positions, highlighting the precarious balance of power in the House.
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