A very close fight for one of the final House seats to be determined in the 2022 cycle was won by the Republicans. The Democratic candidate was behind by only a few hundred votes.
After Democratic challenger Adam Gray surrendered on Friday, Republican John Duarte was declared the winner of California’s 13th Congressional District.
Gray stated in a message on Twitter, “After weeks of tremendously hard work by our election workers, the result has become evident.” Accepting the results, “I have phoned to congratulate my opponent, John Duarte.”
After more than 130,000 votes were counted, the Democrat predicted that “only a few hundred votes” would determine the winner.
With Duarte’s victory, CNN predicts the Republicans will retain a 222-213 majority in the House of Representatives, with 222 seats going to the GOP and 213 to the Democrats.
Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) is running for reelection, and her contest was close enough to warrant a recount.
Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA) lost his cancer fight on Monday at 61, leaving the Democrats momentarily short-handed for the upcoming term. The governor must call special elections in Virginia, currently Glenn Youngkin (R-VA). McEachin’s district is mainly blue, and the city of Richmond is included. Thus the Democrats have a good chance of keeping McEachin’s seat.
The exact number of Republican and Democratic seats might be a deciding factor in the race for House speaker. To become a minority leader, Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) needs the support of 218 House Republicans in January. Many Republicans have spoken out against McCarthy’s bid for speaker.
The Central Valley will now have a representative in Duarte, a farmer, and businessman. He claims he would work on his campaign website to reduce the “high cost of living,” safeguard Valley water and agriculture and promote “safer neighborhoods.”
As a result of redistricting following the 2020 census, California lost one House seat overall. According to CNN’s projections, the number of seats held by Republicans in California has increased to 12, up from 11 in the current session, while the number of seats held by Democrats has decreased to 40. Present 13th district representative Barbara Lee (D-CA). During her upcoming tenure, she will represent the 12th legislative district.