2018 United States House of Representatives elections


The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 6, 2018. The 2018 House elections were midterm elections that occurred during President Donald Trump's first term in office. Early voting took place in some states in the weeks preceding Election Day. Voters chose representatives from all 435 congressional districts across each of the 50 U.S. states to serve in the 116th United States Congress. Prior to the 2018 elections, the Republican Party had held the House majority since January 2011.
Led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 elections. The Democrats gained a net total of 41 seats. The 41-seat gain was the Democrats' largest gain of House seats since the post-Watergate 1974 elections, when they picked up 49 seats. Democrats also won the popular vote by an 8.6% margin, the largest margin of victory on record for a minority party.

Results summary and analysis

The Democratic Party won control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm elections. The Democrats gained a net total of 41 seats from the total number of seats they had won in the 2016 elections. This was their largest gain of House seats in an election since the 1974 elections, when the Democrats gained 49 House seats. Democrats won the popular vote by more than 9.7 million votes, or 8.6%, the largest margin of victory on record for a minority party.
Prior to the 2018 elections, the Republican Party had held the House majority since January 2011.
According to the Associated Press' statistical analysis, gerrymandering may have cost the Democrats 16 seats in the 2018 House elections.
Voter turnout in these elections was 50.3%, the highest turnout in a U.S. midterm election since 1914.
The House Republicans' passage of the widely unpopular American Health Care Act of 2017 to repeal the Affordable Care Act, as well as opposition to Trump's policies, his low approval ratings, and questions about his personal stamina for office, are credited for the Democratic takeover of the House.

Veteran candidate recruitment

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee actively recruited military veterans and candidates with national security backgrounds for competitive districts in 2018. Political analysts noted that candidates with military experience could appeal to moderate and independent voters in swing districts. Of the 24 Republicans unseated by Democrats, eight were defeated by veterans or former national security officials, including Jason Crow, Elissa Slotkin, Mikie Sherrill, Chrissy Houlahan, and Elaine Luria.

Retirements

In the November general elections, 55 incumbents did not seek re-election.

Democrats

Eighteen Democrats did not seek re-election.
  1. : Kyrsten Sinema retired to run for U.S. senator.
  2. : Jared Polis retired to run for governor of Colorado.
  3. : Elizabeth Esty retired after involvement in sexual harassment allegations against an employee.
  4. : Colleen Hanabusa retired to [2018 |Hawaii gubernatorial election|run for governor of Hawaii].
  5. : Luis Gutiérrez retired.
  6. : John Delaney retired to run for U.S. president.
  7. : Niki Tsongas retired.
  8. : Sander Levin retired.
  9. : Tim Walz retired to [2018 |Minnesota gubernatorial election|run for governor of Minnesota].
  10. : Keith Ellison retired to run for Minnesota attorney general.
  11. : Rick Nolan retired to run for lieutenant governor of Minnesota.
  12. : Jacky Rosen retired to run for U.S. senator.
  13. : Rubén Kihuen retired due to sexual harassment allegations.
  14. : Carol Shea-Porter retired.
  15. : Michelle Lujan Grisham retired to run for governor of New Mexico.
  16. : Bob Brady retired after being redistricted from the 1st district.
  17. : Beto O'Rourke retired to run for U.S. senator.
  18. : Gene Green retired.

Republicans

Thirty-seven Republicans did not seek re-election.
  1. : Martha McSally retired to run for U.S. senator.
  2. : Ed Royce retired.
  3. : Darrell Issa retired, nominated by President Donald Trump to be the director of the United States Trade and Development Agency.
  4. : Ron DeSantis retired to [2018 |Florida gubernatorial election|run for governor of Florida].
  5. : Dennis Ross retired.
  6. : Tom Rooney retired.
  7. : Ileana Ros-Lehtinen retired.
  8. : Raúl Labrador retired to [2018 |Idaho gubernatorial election|run for governor of Idaho].
  9. : Todd Rokita retired to run for U.S. senator.
  10. : Luke Messer retired to run for U.S. senator.
  11. : Lynn Jenkins retired.
  12. : Dave Trott retired.
  13. : Gregg Harper retired.
  14. : Frank LoBiondo retired "due to the increased political polarization of Congress."
  15. : Rodney Frelinghuysen retired.
  16. : Steve Pearce retired to run for governor of New Mexico.
  17. : Kevin Cramer retired to run for U.S. senator.
  18. : Jim Renacci retired to run for U.S. senator.
  19. : Jim Bridenstine announced his retirement November 10, 2017. He resigned April 23, 2018, after being confirmed as administrator of NASA; his replacement was seated November 6, 2018.
  20. : Ryan Costello retired due to "family, the political environment and redistricting."
  21. : Lou Barletta, redistricted from the 11th district, retired to run for U.S. senator.
  22. : Bill Shuster retired when redistricted from the 9th district.
  23. : Trey Gowdy retired to "return to the justice system."
  24. : Kristi Noem retired to run for governor of South Dakota.
  25. : Jimmy Duncan retired.
  26. : Diane Black retired to run for governor of Tennessee.
  27. : Marsha Blackburn retired to run for U.S. senator.
  28. : Ted Poe retired.
  29. : Sam Johnson retired.
  30. : Jeb Hensarling retired.
  31. : Joe Barton retired.
  32. : Lamar Smith retired.
  33. : Tom Garrett retired due to alcoholism.
  34. : Bob Goodlatte retired.
  35. : Dave Reichert retired.
  36. : Evan Jenkins retired to run for U.S. senator and then resigned to become State Supreme Court Justice.
  37. : Paul Ryan retired.

Incumbents defeated

In primary elections

Democrats

Three Democrats lost renomination.
  1. : Delegate Madeleine Bordallo lost renomination to Michael San Nicolas, who went on to win the general election.
  2. : Mike Capuano lost renomination to Ayanna Pressley, who went on to win the general election.
  3. : Joe Crowley lost renomination to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who went on to win the general election.

Republicans

Two Republicans lost renomination.
  1. : Robert Pittenger lost renomination to Mark Harris. A new special election was ordered due to electoral fraud conducted by associates of Republican Harris's campaign.
  2. : Mark Sanford lost renomination to Katie Arrington, who lost the general election to Joe Cunningham.

In the general election

Democrats

No Democrats lost re-election to Republicans.

Republicans

Thirty Republicans lost re-election to Democrats.
  1. : Jeff Denham lost to Josh Harder.
  2. : David Valadao lost to TJ Cox.
  3. : Steve Knight lost to Katie Hill.
  4. : Mimi Walters lost to Katie Porter.
  5. : Dana Rohrabacher lost to Harley Rouda.
  6. : Mike Coffman lost to Jason Crow.
  7. : Carlos Curbelo lost to Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
  8. : Karen Handel lost to Lucy McBath.
  9. : Peter Roskam lost to Sean Casten.
  10. : Randy Hultgren lost to Lauren Underwood.
  11. : Rod Blum lost to Abby Finkenauer.
  12. : David Young lost to Cindy Axne.
  13. : Kevin Yoder lost to Sharice Davids.
  14. : Bruce Poliquin lost to Jared Golden.
  15. : Mike Bishop lost to Elissa Slotkin.
  16. : Jason Lewis lost to Angie Craig.
  17. : Erik Paulsen lost to Dean Phillips.
  18. : Tom MacArthur lost to Andy Kim.
  19. : Leonard Lance lost to Tom Malinowski.
  20. : Dan Donovan lost to Max Rose.
  21. : John Faso lost to Antonio Delgado.
  22. : Claudia Tenney lost to Anthony Brindisi.
  23. : Steve Russell lost to Kendra Horn.
  24. : Keith Rothfus lost a redistricting race to Conor Lamb.
  25. : John Culberson lost to Lizzie Fletcher.
  26. : Pete Sessions lost to Colin Allred.
  27. : Mia Love lost to Ben McAdams.
  28. : Scott Taylor lost to Elaine Luria.
  29. : Dave Brat lost to Abigail Spanberger.
  30. : Barbara Comstock lost to Jennifer Wexton.

Open seats that changed parties

Democratic seats won by Republicans

Three open Democratic seats were won by Republicans.
  1. : won by Jim Hagedorn.
  2. : won by Pete Stauber.
  3. : Conor Lamb instead ran in the 17th district; won by Guy Reschenthaler.

Republican seats won by Democrats

Thirteen open Republican seats were won by Democrats.
  1. : won by Ann Kirkpatrick.
  2. : won by Gil Cisneros.
  3. : won by Mike Levin.
  4. : won by Donna Shalala.
  5. : won by Haley Stevens.
  6. : won by Jeff Van Drew, who later became a Republican on December 19, 2019.
  7. : won by Mikie Sherrill.
  8. : won by Xochitl Torres Small.
  9. : won by Mary Gay Scanlon.
  10. : won by Chrissy Houlahan.
  11. : won by Susan Wild.
  12. : won by Joe Cunningham.
  13. : won by Kim Schrier.

Vacancies during the 115th Congress that did not result in special elections

Three Republicans, all of whom had already announced their retirement, resigned early.
  1. Florida 6: Ron DeSantis resigned on September 10, 2018, retroactive to September 1, to focus on his campaign for Governor of Florida. This seat was then left vacant until the 116th Congress was sworn in on January 3, 2019.
  2. Oklahoma 1: Jim Bridenstine resigned on April 23, 2018, to become head of NASA. This seat was then left vacant until Kevin Hern was sworn in early on November 13, 2018, having won the regularly scheduled November 6, 2018 election for the next full term.
  3. : Evan Jenkins announced his retirement May 8, 2017, to run for U.S. Senator. He lost the nomination and then resigned September 30, 2018, when appointed to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. This seat was then left vacant until the 116th Congress was sworn in on January 3, 2019.

Closest races

Eighty-nine races were decided by 10% or lower.
DistrictWinnerMargin
data-sort-value=1 0.15%
data-sort-value=-0.5 0.26%
data-sort-value=1 0.32%
data-sort-value=1 0.38%
data-sort-value=1 0.43%
data-sort-value=0.5 0.45%
data-sort-value=-0.5 0.74%
data-sort-value=1 0.76%
data-sort-value=1 0.85%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.03%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.24%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.29%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.39%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.40%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.75%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.78%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.87%
data-sort-value=-0.5 1.94%
data-sort-value=1 1.99%
data-sort-value=-0.5 2.16%
data-sort-value=-0.5 2.24%
data-sort-value=1 2.52%
data-sort-value=1 2.64%
data-sort-value=1 2.82%
data-sort-value=1 3.00%
data-sort-value=-0.5 3.11%
data-sort-value=1 3.21%
data-sort-value=1 3.21%
data-sort-value=1 3.33%
data-sort-value=1 3.48%
data-sort-value=-0.5 3.83%
data-sort-value=1 3.95%
data-sort-value=1 4.09%
data-sort-value=-0.5 4.10%
data-sort-value=1 4.16%
data-sort-value=-1 4.26%
data-sort-value="1" 4.27%
data-sort-value=1 4.28%
data-sort-value=-0.5 4.49%
data-sort-value=1 4.55%
data-sort-value=1 4.63%
data-sort-value=-0.5 4.83%
data-sort-value=1 4.98%
data-sort-value=-0.5 5.00%
data-sort-value=-0.5 5.02%
data-sort-value=-0.5 5.06%
data-sort-value=-0.5 5.06%
data-sort-value=-0.5 5.21%
data-sort-value=1 5.26%
data-sort-value=1 5.36%
data-sort-value=1 5.44%
data-sort-value=1 5.45%
data-sort-value=-0.5 5.50%
data-sort-value=0.5 5.54%
data-sort-value=1 5.66%
data-sort-value=1 6.00%
data-sort-value=-0.5 6.00%
data-sort-value=1 6.04%
data-sort-value=1 6.18%
data-sort-value=1 6.22%
data-sort-value=1 6.31%
data-sort-value=-0.5 6.45%
data-sort-value=-0.5 6.50%
data-sort-value=1 6.53%
data-sort-value=1 6.58%
data-sort-value=-0.5 6.67%
data-sort-value=-0.5 7.10%
data-sort-value=-0.5 7.15%
data-sort-value=1 7.29%
data-sort-value=1 7.61%
data-sort-value=1 7.66%
data-sort-value=-0.5 7.67%
data-sort-value=-1 7.69%
data-sort-value=1 7.97%
data-sort-value=-1 8.18%
data-sort-value=1 8.26%
data-sort-value=1 8.49%
data-sort-value=-1 8.55%
data-sort-value=1 8.60%
data-sort-value=-0.5 8.73%
data-sort-value=1 8.75%
data-sort-value=-1 9.06%
data-sort-value=1 9.12%
data-sort-value=-1 9.29%
data-sort-value=-0.5 9.49%
data-sort-value=-0.5 9.66%
data-sort-value=1 9.67%
data-sort-value=1 9.77%
data-sort-value=1 9.86%

Special elections

Elections ordered by election date.
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!

Exit poll

Source: Edison Research exit poll for the National Election Pool

Election dates

For the regularly scheduled November elections.
State/territoryFiling
deadline		Primary
election		Primary
runoff
General
election		Poll closing
AlabamaFebruary 9, 2018June 5, 2018July 17, 2018November 6, 20188pm
AlaskaJune 1, 2018August 21, 2018N/ANovember 6, 2018Midnight & 1am
American SamoaSeptember 1, 2018N/AN/ANovember 6, 201812am
ArizonaMay 30, 2018August 28, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
ArkansasMarch 1, 2018May 22, 2018June 19, 2018November 6, 20188:30pm
CaliforniaMarch 9, 2018June 5, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201811pm
ColoradoMarch 20, 2018June 26, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
ConnecticutJune 12, 2018August 14, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
DelawareJuly 10, 2018September 6, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
District of ColumbiaMarch 21, 2018June 19, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
FloridaMay 4, 2018August 28, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20187pm & 8pm
GeorgiaMarch 9, 2018May 22, 2018July 24, 2018November 6, 20187pm
GuamJune 26, 2018August 25, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20185am
HawaiiJune 5, 2018August 11, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201811pm
IdahoMarch 9, 2018May 15, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm & 11pm
IllinoisDecember 4, 2017March 20, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
IndianaFebruary 9, 2018May 8, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20186pm & 7pm
IowaMarch 16, 2018June 5, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm
KansasJune 1, 2018August 7, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm & 9pm
KentuckyJanuary 30, 2018May 22, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20186pm & 7pm
LouisianaJuly 20, 2018November 6, 2018N/ADecember 8, 20189pm
MaineMarch 15, 2018June 12, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
MarylandFebruary 27, 2018June 26, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
MassachusettsJune 5, 2018September 4, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
MichiganApril 24, 2018August 7, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm & 9pm
MinnesotaJune 5, 2018August 14, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
MississippiMarch 1, 2018June 5, 2018June 26, 2018November 6, 20188pm
MissouriMarch 27, 2018August 7, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
MontanaMarch 12, 2018June 5, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm
NebraskaMarch 1, 2018May 15, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
NevadaMarch 16, 2018June 12, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm
New HampshireJune 15, 2018September 11, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
New JerseyApril 2, 2018June 5, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
New MexicoMarch 13, 2018June 5, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
New YorkApril 12, 2018June 26, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
North CarolinaFebruary 28, 2018May 8, 2018July 17, 2018November 6, 20187:30pm
North DakotaApril 9, 2018June 12, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm & 11pm
Northern Mariana IslandsAugust 8, 2018N/AN/ANovember 13, 20184am
OhioFebruary 7, 2018May 8, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20187:30pm
OklahomaApril 13, 2018June 26, 2018August 28, 2018November 6, 20188pm
OregonMarch 6, 2018May 15, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm & 11pm
PennsylvaniaMarch 20, 2018May 15, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
Rhode IslandJune 27, 2018September 12, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
South CarolinaMarch 30, 2018June 12, 2018June 26, 2018November 6, 20187pm
South DakotaMarch 27, 2018June 5, 2018August 14, 2018November 6, 20188pm & 9pm
TennesseeApril 5, 2018August 2, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20188pm
TexasDecember 11, 2017March 6, 2018May 22, 2018November 6, 20188pm & 9pm
United States Virgin IslandsMay 8, 2018August 4, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20186pm
UtahMarch 15, 2018June 26, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201810pm
VermontMay 31, 2018August 14, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20187pm
[|Virginia]March 29, 2018June 12, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20187pm
WashingtonMay 18, 2018August 7, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201811pm
West VirginiaJanuary 27, 2018May 8, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20187:30pm
WisconsinJune 1, 2018August 14, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm
WyomingJune 1, 2018August 21, 2018N/ANovember 6, 20189pm

Alabama

The state congressional delegation remained the same, at 6–1 for Republicans.

Alaska

Republicans maintained control of the sole seat in the state.

Arizona

The state congressional delegation flipped from a 5–4 Republican majority to a 5–4 Democratic majority.

Arkansas

The state congressional delegation remained the same with a 4–0 Republican majority.

California

The Democratic majority increased from 39–14 to 46–7.

Colorado

The state congressional delegation flipped from a 4–3 Republican majority to a 4–3 Democratic majority.

Connecticut

The state congressional delegation remained unchanged at 5–0 Democrats.

Delaware

Democrats retained control of the sole seat in the state.

Florida

The Republican majority was reduced from 16–11 to 14–13.

Georgia

The Republican majority was reduced from 10–4 to 9–5.

Hawaii

Hawaii maintained its 2-0 Democratic hold.

Idaho

Idaho maintained its 2-0 Republican hold.

Illinois

The Democratic majority increased from 11–7 to 13–5.

Indiana

The Republican majority remained at 7–2.

Iowa

Iowa's delegation flipped from a 3–1 Republican majority to a 3–1 Democratic majority.

Kansas

The Republican majority slipped from 4–0 to 3–1.

Kentucky

Republicans maintained their 5–1 majority.

Louisiana

All incumbents were re-elected, and Republicans maintained their 5–1 majority.

Maine

The 1–1 tie became a 2–0 Democratic hold. This was the first use of ranked choice voting to decide a House race.

Maryland

Democrats maintained their 7–1 majority.

Massachusetts

Democrats maintained their 9–0 hold.

Michigan

The delegation flipped from a 9–5 Republican majority to a 7–7 split.

Minnesota

Although half of the seats switched parties, Democrats maintained the same 5–3 majority.

Mississippi

The Republicans maintained their 3–1 majority in the state.

Missouri

The Republicans maintained their 6-2 seat majority.

Montana

Republicans maintained control of the lone house seat.

Nebraska

Republicans maintained their 3–0 majority.

Nevada

Democrats maintained their 3–1 majority.

New Hampshire

The Democrats maintained control of both house seats.

New Jersey

The state congressional delegation changed from 7–5 for Democrats to 11–1 for Democrats.

New Mexico

The state congressional delegation changed from 2–1 for Democrats to all 3 seats controlled by Democrats.

New York

Democrats increased their seat majority in New York's congressional delegation from 18–9 to 21–6.

North Carolina

Due to allegations of electoral fraud, the 116th Congress was sworn in with one seat vacant. On February 21, 2019, a new election was ordered by the state election board.

North Dakota

Republicans maintained control of the sole house seat.

Ohio

The state congressional delegation remained the same at 12–4 for Republicans.

Oklahoma

The state congressional delegation changed from 5–0 for Republicans to a 4–1 Republican majority.

Oregon

The state congressional delegation remained the same, with a 4–1 Democratic majority.

Pennsylvania

As a result of changes in the congressional map, the state congressional delegation changed from a 13–5 Republican majority to a 9–9 split.

Rhode Island

The state congressional delegation remained unchanged at 2–0 for Democrats.

South Carolina

The state congressional delegation changed from 6–1 for Republicans to 5–2 for Republicans.

South Dakota

Republicans retained control of the sole seat in the state.

Tennessee

Republicans maintained their 7-2 seat majority.

Texas

The state congressional delegation changed from a 25–11 Republican majority to a 23–13 Republican majority.

Utah

The state congressional delegation changed from 4–0 for Republicans to a 3–1 Republican majority.

Vermont

The Democrats maintained control of the sole seat in the state.

Virginia

The state congressional delegation flipped from a 7–4 Republican majority to a 7–4 Democratic majority.

Washington

Democrats increased their seat majority from 6–4 to 7–3.

West Virginia

The state congressional delegation remained the same at 3–0 for Republicans.

Wisconsin

Republicans maintained their 5-3 seat majority.

Wyoming

Republicans maintained control of the sole seat in the state.

Non-voting delegates

Northern Mariana Islands

The election for a non-voting delegate from the Northern Mariana Islands was postponed until Tuesday, November 13, 2018, due to the impact of Typhoon Yutu.

Puerto Rico

The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is not up for re-election until 2020. Currently held by Republican Jenniffer González, who was first elected in 2016, the Resident Commissioner is the only member of the United States House of Representatives to serve a four-year term.