2018 United States House of Representatives elections


The 2018 United States House of Representatives elections were held on November 6, 2018, with early voting taking place in some states in the weeks preceding that date. Voters chose representatives from all 435 congressional districts across each of the 50 U.S. states. Non-voting delegates from the District of Columbia and four of the five inhabited U.S. territories were also elected. These midterm elections took place nearly halfway through the first term of Republican President Donald Trump. On Election Day, Republicans had held a House majority since January 2011.
In the 2018 midterm elections, the Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi, won control of the House. The Democrats gained a net total of 41 seats from the total number of seats they had won in the 2016 elections. The 41-seat gain was the Democrats' largest gain of House seats since the post-Watergate 1974 elections, when they picked up 49 seats. The Democrats also won the popular vote by a margin of 8.6%, the largest margin on record for a party that previously held a minority in the House. Turnout was the highest for a midterm election in more than a century, with over half the electorate casting ballots.
Upon the opening of the 116th United States Congress, Pelosi was elected as Speaker of the House. Incumbent Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan chose to retire in 2018 instead of seeking another term. In November 2018, House Republicans elected Kevin McCarthy as House Minority Leader.

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 midterm margin for any party and the largest margin on record for a minority party.
According to the Associated Press' statistical analysis, gerrymandering cost the Democrats an additional sixteen House seats from Republicans.
Voter turnout in this election was 50.3%, the highest turnout in a U.S. midterm election since 1914.
Note that the results summary does not include blank and over/under votes which were included in the official results or votes cast in the voided election in North Carolina's 9th congressional district.

Retirements

In the November general elections, fifty-four incumbents did not seek re-election either to retire or to seek other positions.

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 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 run for Governor of Minnesota.
  10. : Keith Ellison retired to run for Minnesota Attorney General.
  11. : Rick Nolan retired.
  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.
  4. : Ron DeSantis resigned to run for Governor of Florida.
  5. : Dennis Ross retired.
  6. : Tom Rooney retired.
  7. : Ileana Ros-Lehtinen retired.
  8. : Raúl Labrador retired to 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.

    Resignations and death

Four seats opened early due to resignations or death and were not filled until the November elections.

Democrats

One Democrat resigned and one died.
  1. : John Conyers resigned and Brenda Jones won only the special election to complete Conyers's term.
  2. : Louise Slaughter died.

    Republicans

Two Republicans resigned.
  1. : Pat Meehan resigned when redistricted from the 7th district.
  2. : Charlie Dent resigned when redistricted from the 15th district.

    Incumbents defeated

In primary elections

Democrats

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

    Republicans

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

    Open seats that parties held

Democratic seats held by Democrats

Democrats held nineteen of their open seats.
  1. : Won by Greg Stanton.
  2. : Won by Joe Neguse.
  3. : Won by Jahana Hayes.
  4. : Won by Ed Case.
  5. : Won by Chuy García.
  6. : Won by David Trone.
  7. : Won by Lori Trahan.
  8. : Won by Andy Levin.
  9. : Won by Rashida Tlaib.
  10. : Won by Ilhan Omar.
  11. : Won by Susie Lee.
  12. : Won by Steven Horsford.
  13. : Won by Chris Pappas.
  14. : Won by Deb Haaland.
  15. : Won by Joe Morelle.
  16. : Bob Brady retired. Won By Brendan Boyle.
  17. : Brendan Boyle ran in. Won by Madeleine Dean.
  18. : Won by Veronica Escobar.
  19. : Won by Sylvia Garcia.

    Republican seats held by Republicans

Republicans held twenty-eight of their open seats.
  1. : Won by Michael Waltz.
  2. : Won by Ross Spano.
  3. : Won by Greg Steube.
  4. : Won by Russ Fulcher.
  5. : Won by Jim Baird.
  6. : Won by Greg Pence.
  7. : Won by Steve Watkins.
  8. : Won by Michael Guest.
  9. : Won by Kelly Armstrong.
  10. : Won by Anthony Gonzalez.
  11. : Won by Kevin Hern.
  12. : Won by Dan Meuser.
  13. : Won by John Joyce.
  14. : Won by William Timmons.
  15. : Won by Dusty Johnson.
  16. : Won by Tim Burchett.
  17. : Won by John Rose.
  18. : Won by Mark Green.
  19. : Won by Dan Crenshaw.
  20. : Won by Van Taylor.
  21. : Won by Lance Gooden.
  22. : Won by Ron Wright.
  23. : Won by Chip Roy.
  24. : Won by Denver Riggleman.
  25. : Won by Ben Cline.
  26. : Won by Carol Miller.
  27. : Won by Bryan Steil.

    Resignations

Three other members announced their retirements but then resigned early before their terms ended.
  1. : Blake Farenthold announced his retirement December 14, 2017. He resigned April 6, 2018. His seat was filled by a special election for the remainder of the term.
  2. : Jason Chaffetz announced his retirement April 19, 2017. He resigned June 30, 2017. His seat was filled by a special election for the remainder of the 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. His seat not filled until the regular election for the next congress.

    Close races

In eighty-nine races the margin of victory was under 10%.
DistrictWinnerMargin
Republican0.15%
Democratic 0.26%
Republican0.32%
Republican0.38%
Republican0.43%
Republican 0.45%
Democratic 0.74%
Republican0.76%
Republican0.85%
Democratic 1.03%
Democratic 1.24%
Democratic 1.29%
Democratic 1.39%
Democratic 1.40%
Democratic 1.75%
Democratic 1.78%
Democratic 1.87%
Democratic 1.94%
Republican1.99%
Democratic 2.16%
Democratic 2.24%
Republican2.52%
Republican2.64%
Republican2.82%
Republican3.00%
Democratic 3.11%
Republican3.21%
Republican3.21%
Republican3.33%
Republican3.48%
Democratic 3.83%
Republican3.95%
Republican4.09%
Democratic 4.10%
Republican4.16%
Democratic4.26%
Republican4.27%
Republican4.28%
Democratic 4.49%
Republican4.55%
Republican4.63%
Democratic 4.83%
Republican4.98%
Democratic 5.00%
Democratic 5.02%
Democratic 5.06%
Democratic 5.06%
Democratic 5.21%
Republican5.26%
Republican5.36%
Republican5.44%
Republican5.45%
Democratic 5.50%
Republican 5.54%
Republican5.66%
Republican6.00%
Democratic 6.00%
Republican6.04%
Republican6.18%
Republican6.22%
Republican6.31%
Democratic 6.45%
Democratic 6.50%
Republican6.53%
Republican6.58%
Democratic 6.67%
Democratic 7.10%
Democratic 7.15%
Republican7.29%
Republican7.61%
Republican7.66%
Democratic 7.67%
Democratic7.69%
Republican7.97%
Democratic8.18%
Republican8.26%
Republican8.49%
Democratic8.55%
Republican8.60%
Democratic 8.73%
Republican8.75%
Democratic9.06%
Republican9.12%
Democratic9.29%
Democratic 9.49%
Democratic 9.66%
Republican9.67%
Republican9.77%
Republican9.86%

Election ratings

Special elections

Elections ordered by election date.
DistrictIncumbentPartyFirst electedResults ↑Candidates
Tim MurphyRepublican2002Incumbent resigned.
New member elected March 13, 2018.
Democratic gain.
Successor also elected later to the new redistricted seat in the, [|see below].
Trent FranksRepublican2002Incumbent resigned.
New member elected April 24, 2018.
Republican hold.
Successor also elected later to the next term, see below.
Blake FarentholdRepublican2010Incumbent resigned.
New member elected June 30, 2018.
Republican hold.
Successor also elected later to the next term, see below.
Pat TiberiRepublican2000Incumbent resigned.
New member elected August 7, 2018.
Republican hold.

Successor also elected later to the next term, see below.
John ConyersDemocratic1964Incumbent resigned December 5, 2017.
New member elected November 6, 2018.
Democratic hold.
A different Democratic candidate was elected the same day to the next term, see below.
Louise SlaughterDemocratic1986Incumbent died March 16, 2018.
New member elected November 6, 2018.
Democratic hold.
Successor was also elected the same day to the next term, see below.
Pat MeehanRepublican2010Incumbent resigned April 27, 2018.
New member elected November 6, 2018.
Democratic gain.
Successor also elected the same day to the new redistricted seat in the, see below.
Charlie DentRepublican2004Incumbent resigned May 12, 2018.
New member elected November 6, 2018.
Democratic gain.
The Democratic candidate won the same day's election to the new redistricted seat in the, see below.

Voter demographics

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
[|Colorado]March 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
[|Florida]May 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
[|Hawaii]June 5, 2018August 11, 2018N/ANovember 6, 201811pm
[|Idaho]March 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
[|Minnesota]June 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 Mexico]March 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 Islands]August 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 Dakota]March 27, 2018June 5, 2018August 14, 2018November 6, 20188pm & 9pm
[|Tennessee]April 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 Virginia]January 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 being 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

American Samoa

District of Columbia

Guam

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.

United States Virgin Islands