Republicans projected to win narrow majority in House of Representatives: AP

The Associated Press on Wednesday evening projected the Republican Party to win a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, more than a week after the Nov. 8 2022 midterms electoral contest.

As of press time, the AP projected the GOP to take 218 seats, the bare minimum for a majority in the lower chamber, with several races still uncalled. The party is leading in a handful of those contests.

The outlet called California's 27th district for Republican Rep. Mike Garcia shortly after 6:00 p.m. EST, clinching control of the House for the GOP. Garcia led Democrat Christy Smith with 54.2% of the vote to 45.8% with an estimated 73% reporting.

That call all but ensures that current House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy will become Speaker of the House after GOP lawmakers nominated him for the post on Tuesday.

Republicans were widely expected to take the House and odds favored the GOP to win the Senate as well, though Democrats largely outperformed polling expectations, which led to tight races and a delay in making final calls.

Democrats ultimately triumphed in the Senate, winning several key races and sending the Georgia senatorial contest to a runoff. They have, however, already secured 50 seats, ensuring their control of the upper chamber given Vice President Kamal Harris's tie-breaking vote.

The AP made several race calls in Arizona and California this week as well as calling New York's 22nd congressional district for Republican Brandon Williams. Arizona Republicans David Schweikert and Juan Ciscolani were also projected to win their races.

At least three GOP-leaning races remain uncalled, including those of California Republicans Kevin Kiley and Rep. David Valadao. Conservative firebrand Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., remains locked in a tight race against a Democratic challenger. Though she currently leads by roughly 1,000 votes, the race will likely head to a recount.