The close of the last congressional midterm battle came on Wednesday the 17th, after a long-fought recount in Arizona between incumbent Democrat Rep. Ron Barber and GOP challenger Martha McSally.
When the dust settled on the counts, McSally topped Barber by fewer than 200 votes. Her victory takes the number of GOP-controlled seats in the U.S. House to 247, a margin of control not seen since 1928 when the GOP controlled 270 seats, according to The Washington Examiner.
McSally declared in her victory speech, “We’re grateful to everyone who devoted their time and resources, especially during the extended vote and recount processes, to get us over the finish line.”
Along with Joni Ernst, newly elected senator from Iowa, McSally, a retired Air Force colonel, will be a second female veteran serving in Congress, both of whom are among the many firsts in the 114th Congress.
