Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) will lose his Home seat in what was the final uncalled congressional race of the 2024 cycle, giving Democrats a pickup going into the brand new yr, Resolution Desk HQ has projected.
Duarte’s loss to Democrat Adam Grey, a former state Meeting member, units the overall variety of seats every social gathering gained at 220 for the Republicans and 215 for the Democrats. The GOP was in a position to maintain onto its majority within the physique from the present time period however carried two fewer seats than it did two years in the past, additional narrowing its already razor-tight majority.
The race name comes virtually precisely a month after Election Day, as vote-counting in California has continued for weeks. The delay was additionally tied to the closeness of the race between Duarte and Grey, the tightest within the nation.
Essentially the most up to date vote depend had Grey main Duarte by simply 187 votes, out of greater than 200,000 forged within the race for California’s thirteenth Congressional District.
Grey declared victory and Duarte conceded late Tuesday as the ultimate votes had been tallied.
“The final results confirm this district is ready for independent and accountable leadership that always puts the Valley’s people ahead of partisan politics,” Grey mentioned in a assertion.
Duarte, who was first elected to signify the district narrowly over Grey in 2022, referred to as Grey to concede and has mentioned he accepts the outcomes. He additionally indicated to the Turlock Journal that he might take into account one other run for Congress sooner or later.
Duarte is the third incumbent California Republican to lose their seat this cycle. Rep. Mike Garcia (R) misplaced to Democrat George Whitesides within the state’s twenty seventh District, whereas Rep. Michelle Metal (R) conceded to Democrat Derek Tran within the forty fifth District simply final week.
Although Republicans gained a trifecta with President-elect Trump’s win within the presidential contest and GOP majorities in each homes of Congress, the slender Home majority might put a major pressure on the GOP’s capability to go laws.
And the Republican majority will quickly be even smaller than the 220-215 margin. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) determined in opposition to taking his Home seat in January after withdrawing as Trump’s decide for lawyer basic, whereas Reps. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) are anticipated to depart their seats for roles within the incoming administration.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) acknowledged that may give Home Republicans no room for error.
“Do the math,” Johnson advised reporters Wednesday. “We have nothing to spare.”
