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.- : Kyrsten Sinema retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Jared Polis retired to run for Governor of Colorado.
- : Elizabeth Esty retired after involvement in sexual harassment allegations against an employee.
- : Colleen Hanabusa retired to run for Governor of Hawaii.
- : Luis Gutiérrez retired.
- : John Delaney retired to run for U.S. President.
- : Niki Tsongas retired.
- : Sander Levin retired.
- : Tim Walz retired to run for Governor of Minnesota.
- : Keith Ellison retired to run for Minnesota Attorney General.
- : Rick Nolan retired.
- : Jacky Rosen retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Rubén Kihuen retired due to sexual harassment allegations.
- : Carol Shea-Porter retired.
- : Michelle Lujan Grisham retired to run for Governor of New Mexico.
- : Bob Brady: retired after being redistricted from the 1st district.
- : Beto O'Rourke retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Gene Green retired.
Republicans
- : Martha McSally retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Ed Royce retired.
- : Darrell Issa retired.
- : Ron DeSantis resigned to run for Governor of Florida.
- : Dennis Ross retired.
- : Tom Rooney retired.
- : Ileana Ros-Lehtinen retired.
- : Raúl Labrador retired to run for Governor of Idaho.
- : Todd Rokita retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Luke Messer retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Lynn Jenkins retired.
- : Dave Trott retired.
- : Gregg Harper retired.
- : Frank LoBiondo retired "due to the increased political polarization of Congress."
- : Rodney Frelinghuysen retired.
- : Steve Pearce retired to run for Governor of New Mexico.
- : Kevin Cramer retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Jim Renacci retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : 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.
- : Ryan Costello retired due to "family, the political environment and redistricting."
- : Lou Barletta, redistricted from the 11th district, retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Bill Shuster retired when redistricted from the 9th district.
- : Trey Gowdy retired to "return to the justice system."
- : Kristi Noem retired to run for Governor of South Dakota.
- : Jimmy Duncan retired.
- : Diane Black retired to run for Governor of Tennessee.
- : Marsha Blackburn retired to run for U.S. Senator.
- : Ted Poe retired.
- : Sam Johnson retired.
- : Jeb Hensarling retired.
- : Joe Barton retired.
- : Lamar Smith retired.
- : Tom Garrett retired due to alcoholism.
- : Bob Goodlatte retired.
- : Dave Reichert retired.
- : Evan Jenkins retired to run for U.S. Senator and then resigned to become State Supreme Court Justice.
- : Paul Ryan retired.
Resignations and death
Democrats
One Democrat resigned and one died.- : John Conyers resigned and Brenda Jones won only the special election to complete Conyers's term.
- : Louise Slaughter died.
Republicans
- : Pat Meehan resigned when redistricted from the 7th district.
- : Charlie Dent resigned when redistricted from the 15th district.
Incumbents defeated
In primary elections
Democrats
Three Democrats lost renomination.- : Delegate Madeleine Bordallo lost renomination to Michael San Nicolas, who then won the general election.
- : Mike Capuano lost renomination to Ayanna Pressley, who then won the general election.
- : Joe Crowley lost renomination to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who then won the general election.
Republicans
- : Robert Pittenger lost renomination to Mark Harris. A new election was ordered due to electoral fraud conducted by associates of Republican Harris's campaign.
- : 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.- : Jeff Denham lost to Josh Harder.
- : David Valadao lost to TJ Cox.
- : Steve Knight lost to Katie Hill.
- : Mimi Walters lost to Katie Porter.
- : Dana Rohrabacher lost to Harley Rouda.
- : Mike Coffman lost to Jason Crow.
- : Carlos Curbelo lost to Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
- : Karen Handel lost to Lucy McBath.
- : Peter Roskam lost to Sean Casten.
- : Randy Hultgren lost to Lauren Underwood.
- : Rod Blum lost to Abby Finkenauer.
- : David Young lost to Cindy Axne.
- : Kevin Yoder lost to Sharice Davids.
- : Bruce Poliquin lost to Jared Golden.
- : Mike Bishop lost to Elissa Slotkin.
- : Jason Lewis lost to Angie Craig.
- : Erik Paulsen lost to Dean Phillips.
- : Tom MacArthur lost to Andy Kim.
- : Leonard Lance lost to Tom Malinowski.
- : Dan Donovan lost to Max Rose.
- : John Faso lost to Antonio Delgado.
- : Claudia Tenney lost to Anthony Brindisi.
- : Steve Russell lost to Kendra Horn.
- : Keith Rothfus lost a redistricting race to Conor Lamb.
- : John Culberson lost to Lizzie Pannill Fletcher.
- : Pete Sessions lost to Colin Allred.
- : Mia Love lost to Ben McAdams.
- : Scott Taylor lost to Elaine Luria.
- : Dave Brat lost to Abigail Spanberger.
- : Barbara Comstock lost to Jennifer Wexton.
Open seats that changed parties
Democratic seats won by Republicans
Three Democratic seats were won by Republicans.- : Won by Jim Hagedorn.
- : Won by Pete Stauber.
- : Conor Lamb instead ran in the 17th district. Won by Guy Reschenthaler.
Republican seats won by Democrats
- : Won by Ann Kirkpatrick.
- : Won by Gil Cisneros.
- : Won by Mike Levin.
- : Won by Donna Shalala.
- : Won by Haley Stevens.
- : Won by Jeff Van Drew, who became a Republican on December 19, 2019.
- : Won by Mikie Sherrill.
- : Won by Xochitl Torres Small.
- : Won by Mary Gay Scanlon.
- : Won by Chrissy Houlahan.
- : Won by Susan Wild.
- : Won by Joe Cunningham.
- : Won by Kim Schrier.
Open seats that parties held
Democratic seats held by Democrats
Democrats held nineteen of their open seats.- : Won by Greg Stanton.
- : Won by Joe Neguse.
- : Won by Jahana Hayes.
- : Won by Ed Case.
- : Won by Chuy García.
- : Won by David Trone.
- : Won by Lori Trahan.
- : Won by Andy Levin.
- : Won by Rashida Tlaib.
- : Won by Ilhan Omar.
- : Won by Susie Lee.
- : Won by Steven Horsford.
- : Won by Chris Pappas.
- : Won by Deb Haaland.
- : Won by Joe Morelle.
- : Bob Brady retired. Won By Brendan Boyle.
- : Brendan Boyle ran in. Won by Madeleine Dean.
- : Won by Veronica Escobar.
- : Won by Sylvia Garcia.
Republican seats held by Republicans
- : Won by Michael Waltz.
- : Won by Ross Spano.
- : Won by Greg Steube.
- : Won by Russ Fulcher.
- : Won by Jim Baird.
- : Won by Greg Pence.
- : Won by Steve Watkins.
- : Won by Michael Guest.
- : Won by Kelly Armstrong.
- : Won by Anthony Gonzalez.
- : Won by Kevin Hern.
- : Won by Dan Meuser.
- : Won by John Joyce.
- : Won by William Timmons.
- : Won by Dusty Johnson.
- : Won by Tim Burchett.
- : Won by John Rose.
- : Won by Mark Green.
- : Won by Dan Crenshaw.
- : Won by Van Taylor.
- : Won by Lance Gooden.
- : Won by Ron Wright.
- : Won by Chip Roy.
- : Won by Denver Riggleman.
- : Won by Ben Cline.
- : Won by Carol Miller.
- : Won by Bryan Steil.
Resignations
- : 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.
- : 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.
- : 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
District | Winner | Margin |
Republican | 0.15% | |
Democratic | 0.26% | |
Republican | 0.32% | |
Republican | 0.38% | |
Republican | 0.43% | |
Republican | 0.45% | |
Democratic | 0.74% | |
Republican | 0.76% | |
Republican | 0.85% | |
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% | |
Republican | 1.99% | |
Democratic | 2.16% | |
Democratic | 2.24% | |
Republican | 2.52% | |
Republican | 2.64% | |
Republican | 2.82% | |
Republican | 3.00% | |
Democratic | 3.11% | |
Republican | 3.21% | |
Republican | 3.21% | |
Republican | 3.33% | |
Republican | 3.48% | |
Democratic | 3.83% | |
Republican | 3.95% | |
Republican | 4.09% | |
Democratic | 4.10% | |
Republican | 4.16% | |
Democratic | 4.26% | |
Republican | 4.27% | |
Republican | 4.28% | |
Democratic | 4.49% | |
Republican | 4.55% | |
Republican | 4.63% | |
Democratic | 4.83% | |
Republican | 4.98% | |
Democratic | 5.00% | |
Democratic | 5.02% | |
Democratic | 5.06% | |
Democratic | 5.06% | |
Democratic | 5.21% | |
Republican | 5.26% | |
Republican | 5.36% | |
Republican | 5.44% | |
Republican | 5.45% | |
Democratic | 5.50% | |
Republican | 5.54% | |
Republican | 5.66% | |
Republican | 6.00% | |
Democratic | 6.00% | |
Republican | 6.04% | |
Republican | 6.18% | |
Republican | 6.22% | |
Republican | 6.31% | |
Democratic | 6.45% | |
Democratic | 6.50% | |
Republican | 6.53% | |
Republican | 6.58% | |
Democratic | 6.67% | |
Democratic | 7.10% | |
Democratic | 7.15% | |
Republican | 7.29% | |
Republican | 7.61% | |
Republican | 7.66% | |
Democratic | 7.67% | |
Democratic | 7.69% | |
Republican | 7.97% | |
Democratic | 8.18% | |
Republican | 8.26% | |
Republican | 8.49% | |
Democratic | 8.55% | |
Republican | 8.60% | |
Democratic | 8.73% | |
Republican | 8.75% | |
Democratic | 9.06% | |
Republican | 9.12% | |
Democratic | 9.29% | |
Democratic | 9.49% | |
Democratic | 9.66% | |
Republican | 9.67% | |
Republican | 9.77% | |
Republican | 9.86% |
Election ratings
Special elections
Elections ordered by election date.District | Incumbent | Party | First elected | Results ↑ | Candidates |
Tim Murphy | Republican | 2002 | Incumbent resigned. New member elected March 13, 2018. Democratic gain. Successor also elected later to the new redistricted seat in the, [|see below]. | ||
Trent Franks | Republican | 2002 | Incumbent resigned. New member elected April 24, 2018. Republican hold. Successor also elected later to the next term, see below. | ||
Blake Farenthold | Republican | 2010 | Incumbent resigned. New member elected June 30, 2018. Republican hold. Successor also elected later to the next term, see below. | ||
Pat Tiberi | Republican | 2000 | Incumbent resigned. New member elected August 7, 2018. Republican hold. Successor also elected later to the next term, see below. | ||
John Conyers | Democratic | 1964 | Incumbent 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 Slaughter | Democratic | 1986 | Incumbent 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 Meehan | Republican | 2010 | Incumbent 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 Dent | Republican | 2004 | Incumbent 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 PoolElection dates
For the regularly scheduled November elections.State/Territory | Filing deadline | Primary election | Primary runoff | General election | Poll closing |
Alabama | February 9, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | July 17, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Alaska | June 1, 2018 | August 21, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | Midnight & 1am |
American Samoa | September 1, 2018 | N/A | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 12am |
Arizona | May 30, 2018 | August 28, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
Arkansas | March 1, 2018 | May 22, 2018 | June 19, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 8:30pm |
California | March 9, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 11pm |
[|Colorado] | March 20, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
Connecticut | June 12, 2018 | August 14, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Delaware | July 10, 2018 | September 6, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
District of Columbia | March 21, 2018 | June 19, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
[|Florida] | May 4, 2018 | August 28, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 7pm & 8pm |
Georgia | March 9, 2018 | May 22, 2018 | July 24, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 7pm |
Guam | June 26, 2018 | August 25, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 5am |
[|Hawaii] | June 5, 2018 | August 11, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 11pm |
[|Idaho] | March 9, 2018 | May 15, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm & 11pm |
Illinois | December 4, 2017 | March 20, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Indiana | February 9, 2018 | May 8, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 6pm & 7pm |
Iowa | March 16, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm |
Kansas | June 1, 2018 | August 7, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm & 9pm |
Kentucky | January 30, 2018 | May 22, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 6pm & 7pm |
Louisiana | July 20, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | N/A | December 8, 2018 | 9pm |
Maine | March 15, 2018 | June 12, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Maryland | February 27, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Massachusetts | June 5, 2018 | September 4, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Michigan | April 24, 2018 | August 7, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm & 9pm |
[|Minnesota] | June 5, 2018 | August 14, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
Mississippi | March 1, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Missouri | March 27, 2018 | August 7, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Montana | March 12, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm |
Nebraska | March 1, 2018 | May 15, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
Nevada | March 16, 2018 | June 12, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm |
New Hampshire | June 15, 2018 | September 11, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
New Jersey | April 2, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
[|New Mexico] | March 13, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
New York | April 12, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
North Carolina | February 28, 2018 | May 8, 2018 | July 17, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 7:30pm |
North Dakota | April 9, 2018 | June 12, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm & 11pm |
[|Northern Mariana Islands] | August 8, 2018 | N/A | N/A | November 13, 2018 | 4am |
Ohio | February 7, 2018 | May 8, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 7:30pm |
Oklahoma | April 13, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | August 28, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Oregon | March 6, 2018 | May 15, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm & 11pm |
Pennsylvania | March 20, 2018 | May 15, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Rhode Island | June 27, 2018 | September 12, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
South Carolina | March 30, 2018 | June 12, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 7pm |
[|South Dakota] | March 27, 2018 | June 5, 2018 | August 14, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 8pm & 9pm |
[|Tennessee] | April 5, 2018 | August 2, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 8pm |
Texas | December 11, 2017 | March 6, 2018 | May 22, 2018 | November 6, 2018 | 8pm & 9pm |
United States Virgin Islands | May 8, 2018 | August 4, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 6pm |
Utah | March 15, 2018 | June 26, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 10pm |
Vermont | May 31, 2018 | August 14, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 7pm |
[|Virginia] | March 29, 2018 | June 12, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 7pm |
Washington | May 18, 2018 | August 7, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 11pm |
[|West Virginia] | January 27, 2018 | May 8, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 7:30pm |
Wisconsin | June 1, 2018 | August 14, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |
Wyoming | June 1, 2018 | August 21, 2018 | N/A | November 6, 2018 | 9pm |