West
Six House seats that could flip from blue to red in 2024, potentially giving GOP a bigger majority
A handful of House seats currently held by Democrats could flip in the 2024 elections, giving Republicans a potential sigh of relief as they seek to build on their slim majority.
All 435 seats in the House are up for grabs this cycle amid the GOP’s fight to pick up seats in districts that favor right-wing candidates. That fight will likely take place in districts that were won, or narrowly lost, by Republicans in recent elections.
Republicans currently hold a 218-to-213 majority in the chamber. Amid the resignations and departures by several Republicans from the House in recent months, that number is expected to fall even further on April 19, when Wisconsin GOP Rep. Mike Gallagher, the chairman of the House select committee on China, leaves Congress.
The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election analyst, currently ranks 11 Democrat-held seats as “Toss Up” races this cycle. Several of those races also include districts won, or nearly won, by former President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election.
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Six House seats currently held by Democrats could flip in the 2024 elections, giving Republicans the ability to expand their slim majority in the chamber. (Getty Images)
Of the many races, here are six House seats currently held by Democrats that could flip in 2024:
Maine’s 2nd Congressional District
Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, is looking to continue his representation of Maine’s 2nd Congressional District — a position he has held since 2019 — in the state’s November election.
Two Republicans are running in the state’s June 11 primary election, which uses a ranked-choice voting method, to challenge Golden — Maine state Rep. Michael Soboleski and Austin Theriault, a former NASCAR driver who also serves in the state House.
Once characterized by Politico as one of the “Trumpiest seats” for Democrats to defend, the district categorized as a “Democrat Toss Up” by the Cook Political Report covers four-fifths of the state, including the cities of Lewiston, Bangor and Auburn.
Despite the odds that are reportedly stacked against him in terms of voter demographics, Golden, a Marine Corps veteran who has bucked his party on a number of issues in recent years while serving as a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, has won the seat three times — in 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, at the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2024. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Ohio’s 9th Congressional District
Currently represented by longtime Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Ohio’s 9th Congressional District is a seat that Republicans are looking to pick up in the state’s 2024 election.
Kaptur, a Toledo native who has represented the recently redrawn Ohio district in the House since 1983, is currently the longest serving woman in the history of Congress.
But that could all change later this year as Kaptur, whose votes align with President Biden’s interests nearly 100% of the time, plans to face off against Derek Merrin, her Republican challenger in the race.
Merrin, who was endorsed by Trump just prior to the state’s GOP primary election last month, currently serves as a state representative. He previously served as a councilman and as mayor of the City of Waterville.
The race has been labeled by the Cook Political Report as a “Democrat Toss Up” in 2024.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio, has represented Ohio’s 9th Congressional District since 1983. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call)
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Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District
In Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Matt Cartwright is looking to retain his post in the House.
Cartwright has voted nearly in lock-step with Biden since assuming office in 2019, giving Republicans who have largely focused on the economy and other topics like immigration and crime something to talk about.
Though the primary elections in the state won’t take place until April 23, Cartwright, the presumed nominee for his party, is likely to face off against Rob Bresnahan Jr., the sole Republican challenging him.
Bresnahan has served as the chief financial officer and CEO of a family business, an electrical contracting company, since the age of 16, and his website states that he is “uniquely qualified to send a jolt of energy through Congress and deliver results” for the residents of Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The race has been labeled by the Cook Political Report as a “Democrat Toss Up” in 2024.
Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., has represented Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District since 2019. (Getty Images)
Washington’s 3rd Congressional District
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., also co-chair of the moderate Democrats’ Blue Dog Coalition in the House, is seeking re-election to the House after serving a single term in office representing Washington’s 3rd Congressional District.
Perez is running in a race that has been labeled by the Cook Political Report as a “Democrat Toss Up” in 2024.
Perez, who was first elected to the House in 2022, is one of five candidates who will take part in the state’s nonpartisan primary election on August 6.
The current Republican candidates looking to unseat the congresswoman include U.S. Army veteran Joe Kent, who ran against Perez in 2022 and narrowly lost, as well as Leslie French and Leslie Lewallen.
Kent, according to his campaign website, is “focused on restoring common sense Republican values and defeating the woke extremist Democrat Congresswoman Marie Perez.”
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., was first elected to the House in 2022. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
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Alaska’s At-Large Congressional District
Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola, the first Democrat to represent Alaska’s at-large congressional district in nearly 50 years, is hoping to earn the support of Alaskans through its ranked-choice voting method later this year.
Peltola, who was elected to serve a full term in the House in 2022 and has worked to portray herself as a moderate ever since, previously served for a decade as a member of the Alaska state House.
An Alaska native, Peltola is now gearing up for a political showdown for the Last Frontier as she prepares to take on Republican candidates Nick Begich and Nancy Dahlstrom, the state’s current lieutenant governor, in Alaska’s August 20 primary election.
Peltola, who also serves as a co-chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, has faced criticism from her GOP challengers for failing to vote in favor of the interests of Alaska residents.
“We like Mary as a person, but we don’t like her voting record. She’s not speaking for Alaskans,” Dahlstrom told Fox News Digital earlier this year.
Similarly, Begich told Fox that “voters are furious” with the way Peltola has represented Alaska on the federal level.
Rep. Mary Peltola has represented Alaska in the House since 2022. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Michigan’s 7th Congressional District
Another House seat, Michigan’s 7th Congressional District, is an open seat that many in the political sphere are paying close attention to after incumbent Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, announced in February 2023 she would run for the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.
The district — which includes the counties of Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee, as well as large portions of Calhoun and Washtenaw counties — was narrowly lost by Trump during the last presidential election.
Two former Michigan state senators, Republican Tom Barrett and Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr., are running to represent the district in the state’s 2024 election.
The race is labeled a “Democrat Toss Up” by the Cook Political Report.
Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., announced in February 2023 that she would run for the Senate. (Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
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Though not as competitive, according to Cook Political Report ratings, Republicans are also eyeing Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, where more than a dozen Republicans and Democrats are seeking their respective parties’ nomination for the seat in the state’s June 18 primary elections.
Former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and combat veteran Derrick Anderson is the leading Republican in the race and has received endorsements from House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and several other members of GOP leadership in the House.
The Virginia seat is currently held by Rep. Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat who announced in November her decision to run for governor of the state in 2025. The seat has been ranked as a “Lean Democrat” by the Cook Political Report.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., announced in November her decision to run for governor of Virginia in 2025. (Getty Images)
Despite the potential pick-up opportunities for the GOP in the House, several Republicans, many of whom represent districts won by President Biden in 2020, could be in jeopardy of losing their seats in the lower chamber later this year.
Similar to that of current Democrat-held seats that could flip, the Cook Political Report currently ranks 11 GOP-held seats as “Toss Up” races this cycle.
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Oregon
Oregon’s lead economist talks state growth, stagnating job prospects
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Oregon’s most recent revenue forecast was released in February, and the picture looked better than many people expected.
Despite a government shutdown late last year and another partial shutdown this year, tariff uncertainty and other factors, Oregon’s economy is proving resilient.
The state’s economic output has increased at about the 4% range, and Oregon was ranked 20th in growth in the third quarter of 2025, exceeding national trends.
However, job growth has stagnated as technology replaces labor in some sectors.
Carl Riccadonna is the state’s lead economist, and he joined Eye on Northwest Politics to discuss Oregon’s economy.
Watch the full video in the player above.
Utah
Where Utah’s 2026 NFL draft class ranks in school history
A few Utah stars took one step closer to living out their dreams of playing professional football as the 2026 NFL Draft played out in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
Three Utes were phoned by NFL teams over the past three days, including two in the first round for the first time in school history.
Here’s what Utah’s 2026 draft class looked like following the seventh round on Saturday:
- Spencer Fano (OL): Drafted No. 9 overall by the Cleveland Browns
- Caleb Lomu (OL): Picked No. 28 overall by the New England Patriots
- Dallen Bentley (TE): Selected No. 256 overall by the Denver Broncos
It was the fourth time since 2020 that multiple Utah players were selected in the same draft. Fano became the third-highest drafted player in program history, behind only Alex Smith (No. 1 overall in 2005) and Jordan Gross (No. 8 overall in 2003).
As historic as the 2026 draft was for the Utes, how does their latest draft class compare to some of the previous classes they’ve produced? Let’s take a look at some of Utah’s other notable draft classes and figure out how the next batch of pro Utes fits into the equation.
Utah’s Best NFL Draft Classes
2020
- Jaylon Johnson (2nd round, No. 50 overall)
- Julian Blackmon (3rd round, No. 85 overall)
- Zack Moss (3rd round, No. 86 overall)
- Terrell Burgess (3rd round, No. 104 overall)
- Leki Fotu (4th round, No. 114 overall)
- Bradlee Anae (5th round, No. 179 overall)
- John Penisini (6th round, No. 197 overall)
Average career length: 4.6 years (four active in 2025)
Accolades: 1x Super Bowl champion (Burgess), 2x Pro Bowls (Johnson)
2017
- Garett Bolles (1st round, No. 20 overall)
- Marcus Williams (2nd round, No. 42 overall)
- Joe Williams (4th round, No. 121 overall)
- Isaac Asiata (5th round, No. 164 overall)
- Brian Allen (5th round, No. 173 overall)
- JJ Dielman (5th round, No. 176 overall)
- Sam Tevi (6th round, No. 190 overall)
- Pita Taumoepenu (6th round, No. 202 overall)
Average career length: 4 years (two active in 2025)
Accolades: 1x All-Pro, 1x Pro Bowl (Bolles)
2019
- Marquise Blair (2nd round, No. 47 overall)
- Cody Barton (3rd round, No. 88 overall)
- Mitch Wishnowsky (4th round, No. 110 overall)
- Matt Gay (5th round, No. 145 overall)
- Jackson Barton (7th round, No. 240 overall)
Average career length: 6 years (three active in 2025)
Accolades: 1x Super Bowl champion, 1x Pro Bowl (Gay)
2010
- Koa Misi (2nd round, No. 40 overall)
- Zane Beadles (2nd round, No. 45 overall)
- Robert Johnson (5th round, No. 148 overall)
- David Reed (5th round, No. 156 overall)
- Stevenson Sylvester (5th round, No. 166 overall)
- RJ Stanford (7th round, No. 223 overall)
Average career length: 4.7 years
Accolades: 1x Super Bowl champion (Reed), 1x Pro Bowl (Beadles)
2005
- Alex Smith (1st round, No. 1 overall)
- Sione Pouha (3rd round, No. 88 overall)
- Chris Kemoeatu (6th round, No. 204 overall)
- Parris Warren (7th round, No. 225 overall)
- Jonathan Fanene (7th round, No. 233 overall)
Average career length: 7 years
Accolades: 1x Super Bowl champion (Kemoeatu), 3x Pro Bowl, Comeback Player of the Year (Smith)
Where Utah’s 2026 Draft Class Stands
Obviously, only time will tell just how many combined years and accolades the Utes’ 2026 class racks up at the pro level. If Fano and Lomu each play 10-plus seasons and collect a Pro Bowl nod or two along the way, the 2026 class could rival the 2005 and 2010 classes.
Due to the volume of the 2017 and 2020 classes, respectively, it’s hard to compare the 2026 group to those classes — at least, right now it is. If either (or both) of Utah’s first-round tackles goes on to become one of the best at their position and Dallen Bentley develops into a bonafide starter who contributes on good teams, then we’d have to revisit the conversation.
For now, we’re not going to place that kind of pressure on the 2026 class.
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Washington
Photos: The aftermath of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting
Armed Secret Service agents stand on stage during a shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday in Washington, D.C. According to reports, President Donald Trump, along with other government officials, were rushed from the Washington Hilton after reports of gun shots.
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The annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner ended abruptly Saturday night after gunfire was exchanged between suspect Cole Allen and Secret Service agents at the Washington Hilton hotel in Washington, D.C. One agent was injured after having been shot in his bulletproof vest and has been released from the hospital.
President Trump, first lady Melania Trump, and several White House staff and cabinet members, who were not injured, were rushed from the hotel.
Allen, who is believed to have traveled from Torrance, Calif. to Washington, D.C., was arrested on the scene and is currently in custody.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller and his wife Katie Miller are taken out of the ballroom by security agents during a shooting incident at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday.
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Attendees at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner hide under tables after reports of gunshots at a security screening area at the Washington Hilton hotel on Saturday.
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Members of the National Guard respond with weapons drawn at the Washington Hilton on Saturday night in Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet officials were rushed out of the hotel during the event when a gunman shot a U.S. Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint inside.
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Secret service agents respond after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
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Secret service agents respond to shots fired during the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday.
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Vice President J.D. Vance walks back stage at the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday. Several government officials were rushed from the hotel after a shooting incident at a security screening area.
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DC Fire and EMS units arrive at the Washington Hilton Hotel where shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Hines, are evacuated from the annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington on Saturday.
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President Donald Trump holds a press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, shortly after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on Saturday.
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Law enforcement officials respond to an address connected to Cole Tomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, as people stand and watch on Saturday in Torrance, Calif.
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FBI officers leave the scene after responding to an address connected to Cole Tomas Allen, the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Sunday in Torrance, Calif.
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FBI agents work on Sunday at an address in Torrance, Calif., connected to Cole Tomas Allen, who was identified as the shooting suspect at the White House Correspondents Dinner the night before.
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Members of the media work near the Washington Hilton hotel on Sunday, where a shooting incident occurred the night before at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
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Shattered glass at the Washington Hilton hotel on Sunday, where a shooting incident occurred the night before at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.
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