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Five House Races That Will Decide Control of Congress in 2026
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Firstpost•07-10-2026, 10:16
Five House Races That Will Decide Control of Congress in 2026
- •Republicans hold a narrow 219-214 majority in the US House of Representatives, leaving Democrats needing a net gain of just four seats to take control.
- •The Texas 34th District race tests whether Democrats can retain seats in areas that shifted favorably toward Donald Trump after redistricting.
- •Iowa features two intense battles including the 3rd District and the 1st District, where Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks won by only 799 votes in 2024.
- •Longtime Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur is fighting to hold Ohio's 9th District against Republican Derek Merrin in a newly redrawn, more Republican-leaning area.
- •Maine's 2nd District becomes a major Republican pickup opportunity as Democratic Representative Jared Golden retires, setting up a clash between Matthew Dunlap and Paul LePage.
Key Questions Answered
Republicans currently hold a narrow majority of 219 to 214 in the US House of Representatives, with two seats vacant. This means Democrats need a net gain of just four seats to take control of the chamber.
Iowa's 1st District is a major battleground because it has a history of extremely narrow margins, such as in 2024 when Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks defeated Democrat Christina Bohannan by just 799 votes.
Maine's 2nd District is an open seat following the retirement of Democratic Representative Jared Golden. Democrat Matthew Dunlap is facing Republican Paul LePage in a race that Republicans view as a major pickup opportunity.
