Democrats win control of the House, putting Hakeem Jeffries in line to become speaker

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Democrats won control of the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday’s midterm elections, ending the Republican majority and setting up a divided government for the last two years of President Trump’s term. CBS News projected the outcome late on election night.

Going into the election, Republicans held 218 seats and Democrats 214, with one independent and two vacancies. Dozens of races were still being counted on Wednesday, but House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he expects his party to finish with at least 255 seats.

Democrats flipped Republican-held districts in states including Iowa, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Colorado, North Carolina and New Jersey. In Pennsylvania’s 10th District, Janelle Stelson defeated Rep. Scott Perry, and in Iowa’s 3rd District, Sarah Trone Garriott unseated Rep. Zach Nunn. Republican Reps. David Valadao of California and Tom Kean Jr. of New Jersey also lost.

Jeffries has formally announced his bid for speaker, and the House will vote when the new Congress convenes in January. Speaker Mike Johnson said he was “disappointed” but that Republicans “will not be deterred by the outcome of one election,” and he told staff he will not run for minority leader. Trump told Fox News, “I think the Democrats did a good job.”