Map: How Democrats flipped the House
Former U.S. President Barack Obama participates in a political rally for California Democratic candidates during a event in Anaheim, California, U.S., September 8, 2018. Left to right are candidates TJ Cox (CA-21), Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Katie Porter (CA-45), Harley Rouda (CA-48) and Mike Levin (CA-49). REUTERS/Mike Blake
The votes have been tallied, and Democrats walked away with the largest gains in the House of Representatives since 1972.
On Wednesday, Democrat TJ Cox defeated Republican David Valadao in California’s 21st district. His victory closed out the final undecided House race and brought the total of flipped House seats to 40.
Democrats won by the largest margin in history for either party during a midterm election year. All told, Democrats won more than 53% of the popular vote, while Republicans took just over 45%.
It’s a victory that came after history-making fundraising efforts for this election cycle. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, this year’s midterm elections are the most expensive on record.
The final spend amounts won’t be known until post-general election FEC filings are submitted on Dec. 6, but thus far, Democrats have spent $801 million to take back the House — a good bit more than the $547 million spent by Republicans.
When the new Congress starts in January, Democrats will hold 235 seats in the House, while Republicans will have 200. The results of the midterm elections expose an increasingly polarized nation and set up the 2020 general elections to be the most expensive and divisive to date.
Follow Kristin Myers on Twitter @kristinreports
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