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Republicans are just one win short of the 218 seats the party needs to secure a majority to regain control of the House after a string of GOP victories late Monday night. Counting is still ongoing across the country, but now it’s confirmed that Democrats will retain control of the Senate, securing 50 seats with a runoff in Georgia next month that could give President Joe Biden’s party an extra seat. And while the GOP is projected to take the House, it will do so with a very slim majority that could make things difficult for his leadership. Speaking about the election from Indonesia where he is attending the G20 summit, Mr Biden said the midterm results “sent a very strong message around the world that the United States is ready to play” and wants to remain “fully engaged in the world”. Nearly 11 races are still running with most in western and southwestern states, including California and Arizona. Many Republicans have criticized the party’s leadership in recent days, with some blaming Donald Trump and others Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

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Michelle Steel is defending her GOP seat in Orange County

Republican Rep. Michelle Steele won election to a second term in Orange County, the Associated Press reported. He defeated Democrat Jay Chen, a Taiwanese-American, in a district designed specifically to give Asian Americans, who make up the largest group in the area, a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. The race was watched nationally for what it said about the preferences of the Asian community. The candidates initially made inflation and hate crimes against Asian Americans key issues. But the match took an ugly turn and most of it focused on class and category. Chen’s ad portrayed Ms Steele as an extremist who would threaten abortion rights, while Republicans accused Chen of “racism” after he told supporters he needed an “interpreter” to understand the Republican’s comments, claiming the Democrat was mocking her english. Mr Chen said he was referring to “convoluted talking points” which he said Ms Steel uses to sidestep issues. Shweta Sharma15 November 2022 05:24 1668489125

The GOP retains the New York House seat with Brandon Williams winning

Tech entrepreneur Brandon Williams was elected to Congress in an upstate New York district, becoming the 11th Republican to win a House race this fall in a state typically dominated by Democrats. Mr. Williams defeated Democrat Francis Connell in the race to succeed US Representative John Katko, a Republican who is leaving office. He had declared victory last week, but the margin between the two candidates was narrow and the winner was not announced until late on Monday. Shweta Sharma15 November 2022 05:12 1668488924

Democrat Andrea Salinas wins US House seat in Oregon’s 6th

Democrat Andrea Salinas won the US House seat in Oregon’s newly formed 6th District. The state representative and former congressional staffer defeated Republican Mike Erickson, a businessman. Salinas was one of two candidates seeking to be Oregon’s first Latina congresswoman, along with 5th District Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who also won her race. Shweta Sharma15 November 2022 05:08 1668488631

Liz Cheney sends perfect revenge tweet as Kari Lake loses Arizona governor’s race: ‘You’re welcome’

Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake was mocked by fellow Republican Liz Cheney after several news outlets called the race for Democrats. Ms Lake, a Trump supporter who has repeatedly spread conspiracy theories about the 2020 US presidential election, had written to Ms Cheney last month sarcastically thanking her for running a TV ad against her, which she claimed had mobilize support. “Thanks again for the huge boost to our campaign! Enjoy your forced retirement from politics,” Ms Lake said. Shweta Sharma15 November 2022 05:03 1668488509

Republicans are just one seat away from regaining control of the House

Republicans were on the verge of regaining control of the House late Monday, just one win short of the 218 seats the party needs to secure a majority, narrowing the way for Democrats to retain the chamber and raising the prospect of a divided administration in Washington. Democrats have already won control of the Senate, securing 50 seats with a runoff in Georgia next month that could give President Joe Biden’s party an extra seat. The GOP came into the election needing to win a net of just five seats for control of the House. Nearly a week after the midterm elections, Republicans were closing in on a majority, giving conservatives the power to blunt Mr. Biden’s agenda and trigger a wave of investigations. But a small numerical advantage will pose immediate challenges to GOP leaders and complicate the party’s ability to govern. The full extent of the party’s majority may not be clear for several more days — or weeks — as votes in competitive races are still being counted. However, the party was on track to hit 218 with seats in California and other states still too early to call. Shweta Sharma15 November 2022 05:01 1668487525

Lara Trump warns DeSantis

Gustaf Kilander has the story. Oliver O’Connell15 November 2022 04:45 1668483925

If the Democrats lose the House, what will happen to Pelosi?

John Bowden explains why Nancy Pelosi is staring at an uncertain political future. Oliver O’Connell15 November 2022 03:45 1668480325

Conservatives fire Trump for midterm meltdown

More of Donald Trump’s conservative foes are coming out of the woodwork as the GOP inches closer to a full-scale civil war in the wake of a dismal showing in the 2022 midterm elections. John Bowden reports growing discontent with the man widely seen as the party’s leader. Oliver O’Connell15 November 2022 02:45 1668479247

Breaking News: Katie Hobbs Defeats Far-Right Republican Kari Lake in Arizona Governor’s Race

Arizona voters have elected Democratic candidate Katie Hobbs as the state’s next governor, defeating Cary Lake and dealing a blow to Donald Trump’s campaign to install loyalists in election administration positions across the country. The race was one of the most-watched contests in the country as candidates bolstering Mr. Trump’s false narrative that he was robbed of the 2020 presidential election — ahead of his supposed entry into the 2024 race — sought and lost a critical situation- level positions that could determine the outcome of these results. Ms. Lake, a former news anchor, was among Republican candidates running for three critical statewide offices in Arizona, including Secretary of State candidate Mark Finchem and Attorney General candidate Abraham Hamadeh — all of whom said the 2020 election was unfounded in danger. All received Mr. Trump’s endorsement. Mr Finchem was defeated and Mr Hamadeh trailed in unofficial results. Alex Woodward15 November 2022 02:27 1668476725

Trump blames McConnell for midterm failure, makes racist jab at wife

Donald Trump sought to avoid responsibility for his party’s poor showing in the 2022 midterm elections on Sunday and stepped up his racist attacks on Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. John Bowden has the latest complaint from the former president. Oliver O’Connell15 November 2022 01:45