Washington, DC - US - Nov 15, 2022: US House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) speaks with reporters about the GOP conference's leadership elections. Credit: Cliff Owen - CNP
By BallotWire
2022
The 2022 United States House of Representatives elections took place on November 8, 2022, encompassing all 435 voting seats in the House. Non-voting delegates from the District of Columbia and U.S. territories were also contested. These midterm elections occurred during President Joe Biden's first term, a time often characterized by challenges for the president's party, a trend held in this instance.
Before the elections, the Democratic Party maintained a slender majority with 220 seats, compared to the Republicans' 212, alongside three vacancies. To reclaim control of the House, Republicans required a net gain of five seats. They aimed to leverage prevalent national concerns such as inflation and economic apprehension to sway voters. On the other side, Democrats emphasized their legislative achievements and focused on social issues, particularly reproductive rights, in the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which annulled Roe v. Wade.
The elections resulted in a slight Republican majority, with the GOP flipping nine seats to secure 222 seats, while Democrats held 213. This shift highlighted the nation's intense political polarization and defied earlier forecasts of a significant Republican "red wave." Instead of the expected sweeping changes, Democrats fared better than anticipated in numerous competitive districts.
Key Races and Districts
One of the standout contests was in Alaska's At-Large Congressional District, where a ranked-choice voting system played a pivotal role. Democrat Mary Peltola triumphed over former governor and vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Peltola had previously won a special election in August 2022 following the passing of long-serving Representative Don Young and successfully retained her seat in the general election.
In California's 22nd Congressional District, Republican David Valadao retained his seat despite his controversial vote to impeach Donald Trump after the Capitol riot on January 6. Overcoming challenges from Democrat Rudy Salas.
Colorado's 3rd Congressional District witnessed a nail-biting contest between Republican Lauren Boebert and Democrat Adam Frisch. Boebert, a prominent conservative figure and ardent supporter of Trump, emerged victorious by a narrow margin of only 546 votes, one of the closest in the nation. This close call underscored a potential shift in voter sentiment, indicating dissatisfaction with extremist rhetoric in areas once firmly Republican.
New York's 3rd Congressional District turned into a high-profile contest, with Republican George Santos defeating Democrat Robert Zimmerman. Initially perceived as a straightforward GOP win, Santos's campaign later unraveled due to revelations of falsified information regarding his education, employment, and personal history. Legal challenges overshadowed his unexpected victory, leading to his expulsion from Congress by December 2023.
In Virginia's 2nd Congressional District, Republican Jen Kiggans unseated Democratic incumbent Elaine Luria, a veteran who played a significant role in the January 6th Committee investigating Trump. Despite Luria's prominence, the district's conservative-leaning electorate favored Kiggans, reflecting the GOP's effectiveness in flipping seats in military-centric regions.
Several factors influenced these election outcomes. After the Supreme Court's decision, the topic of abortion rights emerged as a galvanizing force for Democratic voters, energizing the base and attracting swing voters concerned about reproductive choices. The quality of candidates presented also played a crucial role; some Republicans with extreme views struggled in moderate districts, leading to unexpected losses in favorable regions. Additionally, high voter turnout among younger demographics, which tended to lean Democratic, helped mitigate potential Republican gains.
The redistricting process after the 2020 Census significantly affected the elections. Both parties engaged in gerrymandering to secure advantageous districts. Republicans benefitted from redistricting efforts in states like Florida, Georgia, and Texas, while Democrats made gains in Illinois and New Mexico. Court interventions in states like New York and North Carolina resulted in more competitive districts, altering the overall balance of power.
The narrow Republican majority posed challenges for legislative operations. The election of the Speaker of the House exemplified these difficulties. Republican leader Kevin McCarthy faced resistance from within his party, especially from the conservative House Freedom Caucus. Consequently, the election for Speaker became prolonged, with McCarthy ultimately securing the position after 15 rounds of voting, a first since 1923.
The 2022 elections underscored shifting political landscapes, with Republicans making significant gains in New York by flipping several historically Democratic seats. Conversely, Democrats successfully captured all House seats along the Pacific Coast for the first time since 1875, demonstrating a notable transformation in regional political dynamics. Overall, the outcomes revealed the ongoing complexities of American electoral politics amidst a backdrop of deepening partisan divides.