Democrat Adam Gray wins final House seat in California, narrowing GOP majority
Democrat Adam Gray won the final House seat in California, defeating Republican John Duarte by fewer than 200 votes. This victory reduces the Republican majority to 220 seats, while Democrats hold 215, marking a slight gain for the Democrats. The GOP's effective margin is expected to be 217-215, as some Republicans may leave for cabinet positions after President-elect Trump takes office. This narrow margin could complicate legislative efforts for House Speaker Mike Johnson, as any defection could derail proposed bills. Republicans aim to unify after Trump's win, but divisions remain on key issues. The upcoming negotiations on a stopgap spending measure will test party cohesion, especially with small groups of lawmakers gaining influence over budget decisions.