FATE OF THE HOUSE
As we are finally just days away from the 2024 election, it is obvious from anyone watching TV, receiving text ads and mailers that this has been one expensive election cycle. According to the Cook Political Report, the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives – where there are 435 seats – will be decided by just 42 of the most competitive races, among them Michigan’s 3rd District, currently held by Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids), which she is likely to keep; Michigan’s 7th District, currently held by Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin, currently running for Michigan’s open Senate seat, is being fought over by Democrat Curtis Hertel and Republican Tom Barrett, and the 8th District, where Democrat Rep. Dan Kildee is stepping down and Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet is facing off against Republican Paul Junge. According to the Cook Political Report, both of those races are considered toss-ups. Michigan’s 10th District, where a rematch of 2022 is taking place between incumbent Republican John James and Democrat Carl Malinga, is considered a “lean Republican” district. None of these races are considered the most expensive this go-round, with the California Senate race, where over $98 million has already been spent, is the top race. As for U.S. House races, New York’s 8th District race, between incumbent Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D) and his Republican challenger John Delaney, is the priciest to date, with almost $18 million spent. As for Michigan’s most expensive race, look the 7th District, between Hertel and Barrett. In 2022, that seat, between Slotkin and Barrett, was the most expensive race in the entire country, with approximately $27 million spent, by both their campaigns and outside groups.