Democrat Adam Gray wins California House seat, narrows GOP majority to 220-215
Democrat Adam Gray won the U.S. House seat in California's 13th District, defeating Republican John Duarte by 187 votes. This victory narrows the Republican majority in the House to 220 seats for Republicans and 215 for Democrats, the smallest margin in over a century. The Republican majority will be even slimmer in early 2025. Two GOP members have been selected for Trump's administration, and Rep. Matt Gaetz will not take his seat, leaving Republicans with a 217-215 majority until special elections occur in the spring. House Speaker Mike Johnson will face challenges with this narrow margin. He cannot afford to lose any Republican votes, as a tie would result in legislative failures. This situation complicates passing Trump's agenda and may lead to increased reliance on Democratic support.