Republicans won House seats in blue New York. Those wins could help shape Congress

Republican U.S. Rep-elect Mike Lawler, who eked out a narrow win in New York's Hudson Valley, has said he'd work closely with all members of the U.S. House, including progressive Democrats. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

When Republicans take control of the U.S. House next month, they'll have voters in New York to thank for roughly a third of their national gains.

In the midterm elections, one of the bluest states in the country saw a relative red wave that led to a net gain of three seats, helping give the GOP its razor-thin majority.