Republicans Hold Georgia, South Carolina Seats; Will Have 241-194 Margin in House
By 270toWin Staff
June 21, 2017
Republicans Karen Handel and Ralph Norman won congressional special elections Tuesday. In Georgia's 6th district, Handel defeated Democrat Jon Ossoff and is the first GOP woman elected to Congress from the state. In South Carolina's 5th district, Norman bested the Democrat, Archie Parnell.
While the Georgia race drew far more attention, and became the most expensive House race in U.S. history, the Republican margin of victory there was actually slightly larger than in the South Carolina race. Handel won by 3.8%, while Norman won by 3.2%.
This completes a series of four races for seats vacated by Republicans who left to join the Trump Administration. All four seats were held by that party. A fifth 2017 vacancy, created when a Democrat became California's Attorney General, was held by that party.
Once all the winners are sworn in, Republicans will again hold a 241-194 majority in the House. Democrats will need to gain 24 seats in the 2018 midterm elections to wrest control from the GOP. At this very early point, the analysts at Sabato's Crystal Ball see Democrats picking up somes seats, but falling short of that objective.
