Democrats win House majority after flipping Republican-held districts

Democrats have won control of the U.S. House of Representatives, crossing the 218-seat threshold after flipping Republican-held districts in North Carolina, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The victory gives the party control of the House agenda and its committees, including the power to investigate President Donald Trump’s administration.

The Associated Press called the House majority at 1:25 a.m. Eastern time, after Democrats secured their 218th seat, according to Talking Points Memo. The final size of their majority remained unclear because not all races had been called. The Guardian reported that Democrats entered the election with 214 seats in the 435-member House, while Republicans held 218.

In North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, Democrat Jamie Agler won more than 60% of the vote, according to Talking Points Memo. Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards, who had held the seat, dropped out of the race after facing allegations of sexually harassing young female staffers, the outlet reported. It also reported that former federal prosecutor and Navy veteran Zach Dembo won Kentucky’s 6th District with more than 52% of the vote, defeating Republican Ralph Alvarado, a former state senator. The seat had been held by Republican Andy Barr, who won the race to replace retiring Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Democrats also flipped New Jersey’s 7th District, previously held by Republican Rep. Tom Kean, and Pennsylvania’s 8th District, where Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti defeated Republican Rep. Rob Bresnahan. Talking Points Memo reported those results and said Kean had been hospitalized for depression for months over the summer.

Another North Carolina Republican, Rep. Richard Hudson, narrowly trailed his Democratic challenger on Tuesday evening, The Guardian reported. Hudson chairs the House Republicans’ campaign arm. The Guardian also reported that Democrats won three of four Florida districts Republicans redrew in their favor this year and were leading in the fourth.

The result gives Democrats the committee leadership and subpoena powers they have said they will use to examine the administration. They have identified potential inquiries into allegations involving Trump and his family’s businesses, the handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, the war with Iran and immigration enforcement practices. Democrats say they also plan to scrutinize actions by executive branch departments.

The Guardian reported that the election unfolded amid public concern over inflation and the cost of living, including higher oil prices linked to the Iran war. It also reported that Trump had frozen or withheld funds appropriated by Congress and imposed wide-ranging tariffs without congressional approval.

Talking Points Memo reported that Democrats also won control of the Senate. Even with majorities in both chambers, legislation could face a Republican filibuster in the Senate and a veto from Trump, who had vowed before the election to reject bills passed by Democrats, the outlet reported.