Rep. John Duarte (R-Calif.) misplaced 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, Determination Desk HQ has projected.
Duarte’s loss to Democrat Adam Grey, a former state Meeting member, units the overall variety of seats every occasion gained at 220 for the Republicans and 215 for the Democrats; the GOP was capable of maintain onto its majority however carried two fewer seats than it did two years in the past, additional slimming 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.
Probably the most up to date vote depend had Grey main Duarte by simply 187 votes, lower than a tenth of a % of the greater than 200,000 solid 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 stated in an announcement.
Duarte, who was first elected to signify the district narrowly over Grey in 2022, referred to as Grey to concede and has stated he accepts the outcomes. He additionally indicated to the Turlock Journal that he might contemplate 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.
Regardless that Republicans gained a trifecta with President-elect Trump’s win within the presidential contest and a flip of the Senate, the slim Home majority may put a major pressure on the GOP’s capacity to go laws.
And the Republican majority will quickly — not less than quickly — be even smaller than the five-seat margin voters have given them. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) gained his election however determined in opposition to taking workplace in January after withdrawing as Trump’s decide for lawyer normal, whereas Reps. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) and Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) are anticipated to go away their seats for roles within the incoming administration.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) acknowledged the margin would give Home Republicans no room for error.
“Do the math,” Johnson instructed reporters Wednesday. “We have nothing to spare.”
