ARTICLE
Balance of Power: The House Seats Up for Grabs
June 8, 2022
What is the balance of power in the House?
Democrats control the House with 221 seats to Republicans’ 209. There are currently five vacant seats, for which special elections will be held prior to the November midterm elections.
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How many seats are up for election in 2022?
All 435 House seats are up for election. The Cook Political Report rates 31 races as toss-ups – 22 of which are currently held by Democrats and nine by Republicans.
A shift of only five seats would transfer control of the chamber to Republicans.
The five upcoming special elections will be held in the following states:
What is the outlook for the 2022 midterm elections?
Midterm elections tend to hurt the president’s party. In 18 of the last 20 elections, the president’s party lost ground in the House.
Redistricting will play a significant role in the 2022 House elections: new lines have altered the competitiveness of numerous districts, and some incumbents are running for re-election in new territory.
Both parties have used their respective power in the states to draw district lines and have filed lawsuits to challenge maps they weren’t in charge of creating. Republicans controlled line-drawing in far more districts than Democrats and should gain several seats in the 2022 midterms from redistricting alone.
President Biden’s low approval rating and inflation are likely to be anchors on Democratic incumbents. The Biden administration’s politics, policies, and polling will shape the national atmosphere, as midterms are generally viewed as a referendum on the president.
What are the races to watch among 2022 House elections?
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Reference Shelf
- Balance of Power: A Partisan Convergence in the Senate
- 2022 Congressional Outlook
- On Demand: What’s Next for Congress?
- On Demand: Energy Security and the War in Ukraine
- On Demand: President Biden’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Proposal
- Guide to Navigating the Federal Budget Process
- Who Draws the Lines – Congressional Redistricting
- Congressional Directories Make Networking Easier