Republicans aim to expand slim House majority as final races near finish line

Republicans are making a strong push to increase their majority in the House of Representatives as the final few undecided races draw to a close. Currently, the balance of power stands at 218 seats for Republicans and 212 for the Democrats, with five House races still too close to call.

In Alaska, Democratic incumbent Rep. Mary Sattler Peltola is locked in a tight race in the at-large congressional district against Republican entrepreneur Nick Begich. Begich currently holds a slim lead of nearly 3 points, with 48.7% of the vote compared to Peltola’s 46.1%. With approximately 98% of the vote counted, Begich leads with 155,120 votes to Peltola’s 146,782.

Moving to California, Republican Rep. John Duarte is leading former Democratic state assembly member Adam Gray in the 13th Congressional District. The race remains undecided with 86% of the vote counted, as Duarte holds a narrow lead of 50.6% to Gray’s 49.4%, with just over 2,000 votes separating the two candidates.

In the 45th Congressional District of California, Democratic challenger Derek Tran has overtaken Republican incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel in a close race. Tran now holds a razor-thin 36-vote lead over Steel, with approximately 94% of the vote counted.

In Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, Republican incumbent Rep. Mariannet Miller-Meeks is holding onto a less than 1% lead over challenger Christina Bohannan. With 99% of the vote counted, Miller-Meeks leads by just under 1,000 votes. Bohannan has requested a recount in her bid to unseat Miller-Meeks, and the Associated Press has not yet called the race due to the narrow margin.

Lastly, in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent Marcy Kaptur is leading her Republican challenger, Derek Merrin, by less than 1 point with 99% of the votes counted. Kaptur currently holds a slim lead of just over 1,000 votes.

As the final races come to a close, Republicans are hopeful to expand their majority in the House of Representatives. With key races still undecided, the balance of power in the House remains in flux. Stay tuned for updates as these races reach their conclusion.

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