Several California Races Remain Tight As Party Control Of U.S. House Remains Uncertain

By Madison Hirneisen | The Center Square, The Center Square California

November 10, 2022

(The Center Square) – With control of the U.S. House of Representatives still up in the air, several California congressional races remain in close margins as vote counting continues.

"As of Thursday morning, Republicans were still favored to win the House, holding 209 of the 218 seats needed to take control," according to the Associated Press. With control of the House at stake, some Southern California Democrats have been fighting to hold on to their seats.

Democratic Incumbent Rep. Katie Porter from the 47th congressional district remained locked in a tight race against Republican opponent, Scott Baugh, as of Thursday evening. "Porter held 50.8% of the vote, and Baugh held 49.1% of the vote," according to election results updated Thursday evening. Porter led by 2,900 votes as of Thursday evening.

Slightly south of Porter, Thursday morning results indicated incumbent Democratic Rep. Mike Levin was in a close race with Republican challenger Brian Maryott for the seat in the 49th district. As of Thursday morning, Levin led by just 3,700 votes, holding 51.1% of the vote in the district straddling Orange County and San Diego.

Outside of Southern California, Democratic state Assemblyman Adam Gray trailed Republican businessman John Duarte by 525 votes in a tight race for the 13th congressional district seat as of Thursday evening. Duarte had 50.4% of the vote, and Gray had 49.6% of the vote in the race for the Central Valley seat.

"The 13th congressional district includes Merced, Madera and a portion of Modesto. Prior to redistricting, the seat was held by Rep. Josh Harder, D-Calif, who moved North to run in a more Democrat-friendly district," as reported by CalMatters.

The outcome of these races could remain uncertain for days as election officials continue to count ballots coming in through the mail. Ballots that were postmarked on Tuesday and arrived by Nov. 15 will be counted.

The focus of the work of The Center Square California is state and local-level government and economic reporting that approaches stories with a taxpayer sensibility.