Republicans appear likely to take over the House of Representatives but the widely anticipated “red wave” never came on Tuesday, The Washington Post reports.
Control of both chambers of Congress remains undecided on Wednesday after Democrats defied expectations on Tuesday in key battleground races.
In the Senate, the Georgia, Arizona and Nevada races are yet to be called.
Democrat John Fetterman defeated Republican Mehmet Oz, picking up a seat for Democrats.
Republicans were able to hold on to Senate seats in North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin while Democrats kept their seats in New Hampshire, Colorado and Washington.
The Georgia race between Sen. Raphael Warnock and Republican Herschel Walker is likely to head to a run-off that would be decided on Dec. 6.
Republican Adam Laxalt leads incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto in Nevada while Democratic incumbent Mark Kelly leads Republican challenger Blake Masters in Arizona, but neither race has been called.
Battle for the House:
Republicans anticipated picking up dozens of seats in the House but so far Democrats have been able to fend off challenges in key battleground districts.
Republicans are still likely to win control of the House but the majority is expected to be much smaller than previously predicted.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy did not take the stage at his victory party until 2 am Wednesday.
“When you wake up tomorrow, we will be in the majority and Nancy Pelosi will be in the minority,” McCarthy predicted.
Slim majority threatens McCarthy:
McCarthy has widely been expected to take over as House Speaker next term but a slim majority may be difficult for him to navigate as extremist lawmakers try to push him further right.
Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, a right-winder, said he is “just as happy with a slim majority.”
“I mean, look at what Joe Manchin has done in the Senate as the one deciding vote, right? I would love for the Massie caucus to be relevant. If there’s a one seat majority, my caucus has one person. It’s me. So I can decide whether a bill passes or not,” Massie said. “I’d be the wrong guy if you’re trying to find somebody who’s heartbroken that we don’t have a 40-seat majority.”
