Following Nick Begich's victory in Alaska's lone House seat, Republicans have secured a narrow majority in the House of Representatives. With several members leaving to join President-elect Donald Trump's administration and only three races left to be decided, the party faces a precarious situation as they head into the new year.
The current House composition stands at 219 seats for Republicans and 213 for Democrats, with the outcomes of races in California's 13th and 45th districts, as well as Iowa's 1st District, still pending. In Ohio, Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur has maintained a slim lead in the 9th District.
President-elect Trump's appointments of Republican House members to his administration, such as Rep. Matt Gaetz and Rep. Elise Stefanik, have further complicated the House majority. Special elections will be held to fill their seats, but the timing remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the impending departure of Vice President-elect JD Vance and Senator Marco Rubio has sparked speculation about their replacements. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is considering several Republican candidates to fill Vance's seat, but the narrow majority in the House could complicate the selection process.
In the undecided races, Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks holds a narrow lead in Iowa's 1st District, while Republican Rep. John Duarte is ahead in California's 13th District by a slim margin. In California's 45th District, Democratic challenger Derek Tran currently leads Republican Rep. Michelle Steel.
As the new Congress prepares to convene on January 3 and Trump assumes office on January 20, the delicate balance of power in the House could have significant implications for legislative decisions and appointments in the coming year.
