Democrats on track to secure comfortable US House majority

House Democratic leaders are preparing to welcome moderate members from across the country and build a majority large enough to govern comfortably while containing a restless progressive wing. The party aims to insulate itself against unruly blocs, particularly on the left, after years of slim majorities that allowed hardline Republicans to torment former Speakers Kevin McCarthy and Mike Johnson.

The full size of the majority may not be known for several days. Democrats are pushing into redder territory, and as of late Tuesday night Representative Richard Hudson, the House GOP campaigns chief, was on track to lose his deep-red North Carolina seat.

“Today begins the great American Comeback. In the North, in the South, in the East, in the West, in the Midwest, from sea to shining sea, people have spoken and made clear they’ve had enough of the extremism, enough of the corruption.”

Democrats were leading late Tuesday in several Texas seats redrawn by House Republicans at President Donald Trump’s request to favor their party. They were also ahead in all four Florida seats that Republicans redrew.

In Ohio, veteran Representative Marcy Kaptur was leading her race after Republicans attempted to draw her out. Other Republicans, including Representative Max Miller of Ohio, were trailing in early returns.

Democratic leaders have faced months of concern that an incoming progressive left could vote against Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ speakership bid. A larger majority could largely neutralize a left-wing rebellion in both the internal caucus election and the full speaker vote.

The mood was jubilant at Jeffries’ watch party in Washington, DC, on Tuesday night as TV networks called the House for Democrats surprisingly early. Jeffries told supporters that Americans had made clear they had enough of extremism and corruption and want a Congress that will deliver for them.