Speaker Johnson Increasingly Confident GOP Scored Trifecta Tuesday

WASHINGTON — While there are still votes to be counted, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is sounding increasingly confident that Republicans scored a trifecta election night.

“This historic election has proven that a majority of Americans are eager for secure borders, lower costs, peace through strength and a return to common sense,” Johnson said in a statement Wednesday morning.

“As more results come in it is clear that, as we have predicted all along, Republicans are poised to have unified government in the White House, Senate and House,” he added.

Johnson’s statement came after his party confirmed it had flipped at least three seats — two in Pennsylvania and one in Michigan, with several Democrat-held seats still in play for the Republicans.

Tuesday wasn’t a complete disaster for House Democrats.

In New York State, Democrats defeated at least two incumbent Republicans, Reps. Marc Molinaro and Brandon Williams, and appeared poised to defeat a third, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito. 

In the latter race, former Hempstead Town Supervisor and Democrat Laura Gillen held a slight lead, 50.9% to 49.1% over D’Esposito, according to the Associated Press.

Democrats also retained control of the open seat in north-central Virginia being vacated by retiring Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va. who is leaving the House and currently running for governor.

Eugene Vindman, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and lawyer who teamed with his twin brother in a whistleblower account that became the basis of the first impeachment case against President Donald J. Trump, defeated his Republican opponent, Derrick Anderson, 51.1% to 48.9% for the open seat.

Despite these few bright spots for the Democrats, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-la., joined Johnson in celebrating what he called the GOP’s “clear and resounding” success on Election night.

“As returns continue to come in, it appears that voters have handed Republicans unified control of Washington, with House Republicans expected to hold our majority,” Scalise said.

“Starting with President Trump’s overwhelming victory to return to the White House as the 47th President of the United States, we have been given a rare opportunity to jointly confront the challenges our country faces,” he continued.

“Despite the difficult map we faced and the heavy outspending from the Democrats, House Republicans defied the odds and did what they said couldn’t be done. This is a testament to our great candidates, battle-tested Members, and the voters who had enough of the inflation, crime, open borders, wokeness and chaos around the world caused by Democrats,” Scaliese said.

Johnson couldn’t help but feel bullish Wednesday.

“House Republicans have been successful in securing critical flips in swing states including Pennsylvania and Michigan, while our battle-tested incumbents have secured reelection from coast to coast,” he said. “The latest data and trends indicate that when all the votes are tabulated, Republicans will have held our majority, even though we faced a map with 18 Biden-won seats.

“We will continue to monitor the results and ensure every legal ballot is counted throughout this process. I look forward to working with President Trump and a Republican Senate to deliver as speaker of the house on the mandate entrusted to us by the American people,” Johnson said.

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