Washington, Sept. 26 (SANA) Republicans face an increased risk of losing their U.S. House majority in November’s midterm elections after the Cook Political Report shifted 15 races toward Democrats.
Cook moved the ratings Friday. Democrats are now favored in 208 races and Republicans in 205, with Democrats needing a net gain of three seats to secure control of the chamber, Axios reported.
Cook’s current assessment points to Democratic gains of five to 15 seats. Seventeen Republican-held seats are rated as toss-ups, compared with five Democratic-held seats.
The election forecaster said new congressional maps in California and Utah have largely offset Republican gains from redistricting elsewhere.
The National Republican Congressional Committee disputed the significance of the ratings, arguing that House races are decided district by district and pointing to Republican advantages in campaign organization and financing.
The Nov. 3 midterm elections will determine control of the House for the next two years. Cook’s ratings assess the competitiveness of individual races and can change as Election Day approaches.
N.J/ABD
