House gears up for 2024 shake-up with multiple special elections
The New Year Brings Special Elections That Could Shift the Balance of Power in the House
The start of the new year will bring a series of special elections that have the potential to reshape the House of Representatives, even before the November 2024 elections. Several incumbents have announced their early retirements, creating vacancies that need to be filled as the 2024 cycle begins. In total, four seats must be filled, including three being vacated by retiring members and one that was occupied by former New York Rep. George Santos before he was expelled.
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Let’s take a closer look at all the upcoming special elections in the House and how they could impact the lower chamber and the 2024 ballot:
New York’s 3rd Congressional District (George Santos)
One of the most highly anticipated special elections next year will be to replace George Santos, a Republican who was ousted from the House in December. This makes him only the sixth member of Congress ever to be removed. The race is expected to draw significant attention as Democrats aim to flip the seat and narrow the GOP’s slim majority. Both parties have already selected their nominees, with the special election scheduled for February 13, 2024. Democrats have chosen former Rep. Tom Suozzi, while Republicans have selected state legislator Mazi Melesa Pilip. The winner will serve the remainder of Santos’s term and have a strong chance of being reelected later in the year. Democratic groups are already pledging to get involved in the election, which will take place in a toss-up district. Republicans, on the other hand, are determined to hold onto the seat, as it was one of four districts they flipped in 2022 to gain control of the House.
California’s 20th Congressional District (Kevin McCarthy)
The House will have another vacant seat when former Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigns from Congress. Governor Gavin Newsom will have two weeks to schedule a special election to replace him. McCarthy’s departure is a blow to Republicans, as it will further diminish their majority and leave the party without one of its most prominent members. Several candidates have already declared their bids to replace McCarthy, including Republican Assemblyman Vince Fong, who has received McCarthy’s endorsement. However, the district is considered safely Republican. McCarthy’s resignation comes just two months after he was removed from the speakership, marking the first time in history that the House voted to remove its leader.
Ohio’s 6th Congressional District (Bill Johnson)
Republicans are expected to lose another seat in March with the resignation of Rep. Bill Johnson, who will be stepping down early to take a job as president of Youngstown State University. While this could further decrease House Republicans’ majority, the seat is expected to remain in GOP control as it is a heavily Republican district. Johnson’s decision to leave Congress early was a difficult one, but he has pledged to continue serving until his departure. The exact date of his resignation is yet to be determined.
New York’s 26th Congressional District (Brian Higgins)
On the other side, Democrats will experience a retirement with the departure of Rep. Brian Higgins. Higgins cited dysfunction caused by the Republican majority as the reason for his decision to step down. He will be taking on a new role as president and CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. His resignation will be effective on February 2, 2024, and a special election will be scheduled by Governor Kathy Hochul to fill his seat. This will be the second special election in New York in 2024, following the replacement of George Santos.
These special elections will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the balance of power in the House and set the stage for the 2024 elections. Both Democrats and Republicans are gearing up for fierce battles as they fight to secure these crucial seats.
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Who are some potential candidates for the special election in Ohio’s 9th Congressional District?
Dy announced their intentions to run for the seat, including former state legislator and Fresno City Council member, Clint Olivier. The special election date has yet to be announced, but it is expected to be highly contested as both parties vie for control of the district.
Ohio’s 9th Congressional District (Marcy Kaptur)
The retirement of long-serving Democratic Representative Marcy Kaptur opens up another opportunity for a special election. Kaptur has held the seat since 1983 and is the longest-serving woman in the history of the House. The special election will be held on March 15, 2024, and both parties are scrambling to find strong candidates to run. Democrats hope to retain the seat, while Republicans see an opportunity to flip it and gain ground in the House. The outcome of this election could potentially shift the balance of power in the lower chamber.
Florida’s 13th Congressional District (Charlie Crist)
Representative Charlie Crist’s decision to run for Governor of Florida leaves another opening in the House. Crist’s announcement has created a competitive race for the special election, with multiple candidates from both parties vying for the seat. The date for the special election has yet to be determined, but it will be closely watched as Democrats look to defend their majority and Republicans attempt to make gains in the House.
Overall, these special elections have the potential to reshape the House of Representatives even before the 2024 elections. With retirements and vacancies, both Democrats and Republicans are strategizing and mobilizing to win these seats. The outcomes of these elections will not only determine who represents these districts but also impact the balance of power in the House.
The 2022 midterms saw Republicans gain control of the House, and these special elections will be important indicators of whether Democrats can regain their majority or if Republicans can strengthen their hold. With so much at stake, expect these special elections to be closely watched and garner significant attention from both parties as they aim to shift the balance of power in the lower chamber.
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