LOS ANGELES (AP) — Republicans and Democrats awaited the results of vote counts Wednesday for crucial U.S. House districts in California, while the GOP gained majority control of the chamber next year with a race in neighboring Arizona.

In a 2022 rematch, Rep. Ken Calvert — the longest-serving Republican in the state’s congressional delegation — defeated Democratic challenger Will Rollins in the 41st District, which lies east of Los Angeles and has been a top target for national Democrats.

In Southern California’s Orange County, Democrat Dave Min defeated Republican Scott Baugh in a closely divided swing district, ending Baugh’s bid to fill the seat vacated by Democratic Rep. Katie Porter in what was once a conservative stronghold.

The 47th District, southeast of Los Angeles, was a top target for the national Republicans looking to protect and possibly expand their narrow majority.

Calvert, who was endorsed by President-elect Donald Trump, claimed his 17th term in a Trump-held district in 2020.

“This is a hard-fought victory that shows voters want someone who will put results above partisan politics,” Calvert said in a post on social platform X.

Min, also posting on X, said in Congress he would “fight to protect our democracy, protect our freedoms and expand economic opportunity.”

Baugh said on the same platform that “despite running a strong campaign … that effort will fall a little short.”

On Tuesday, Republican David Valadao’s victory in California’s 22nd District moved Republicans to within two wins of retaining the House gavel, 216-207 in favor of the GOP, as the count continued in a series of races across the country .

With Calvert’s victory, the Republican tally reached 217. That became 218 Wednesday night, securing a majority margin, as Rep. Juan Ciscomani. he won re-election to a seat representing southeastern Arizona.

A few squeaker races remain in play in California.

In the Orange County-anchored 45th District, Republican Rep. Michelle Steel’s lead over Democrat Derek Tran narrowed to a few hundred votes as the count continued.

California is known as a liberal protectorate—Democrats hold every statewide office, dominate the Legislature and congressional delegation, and outnumber registered Republicans by a staggering 2-1. Still, Republicans retain pockets of political influence in the Southern California suburbs and vast rural areas, including the farm belt of the Central Valley.

Orange County was once considered a conservative holy ground, where white, suburban homeowners provided winning margins for Republicans year after year. It was a building block in the Reagan revolution. But the county has become more demographically diverse and Democratic over time, like much of the state.

The 47th District, which includes Huntington Beach and other famous surf breaks, was held by Porter, a progressive favorite who in 2022 appropriately defeated Baugh, a former Republican lawmaker. Porter, known for grilling CEOs during hearings on Capitol Hill, stepped aside to run for the US Senate but lost in the primary.

Given the stakes in the tightly divided district, the contest was particularly bitter. Min ads called Baugh a “MAGA extremist” who would jeopardize abortion rights. Baugh said Min’s “extreme liberal views” are inconsistent with the district.