House Republicans are increasingly bullish about their prospects in the upcoming midterm elections, with the party's campaign chief predicting not only a hold on the majority but net gains. Representative Richard Hudson of North Carolina, chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, told an audience at an Axios AM Live event in Washington on Tuesday that he is “very confident we’re going to hold the House” and expects to add seats to the GOP column.
“In fact, I think we’ll pick up seats,” Hudson said. He attributed the optimism to a map that “favors Republicans,” noting that redistricting has given the party a slight edge. “The seats that are up for grabs, there’s very few, favor Republicans,” he added, pointing to the ongoing redistricting battles that have reshaped the electoral landscape.
New congressional maps enacted over the past year have shifted the playing field significantly. According to analyses, an additional sixteen seats now lean toward Republican candidates, while six have moved in favor of Democrats. Key states such as California, Texas, and North Carolina have seen the most dramatic changes. The California House primaries are a prime example of how redistricting is reshaping the 2026 map, creating open seats and competitive races.
Hudson also highlighted fundraising and candidate quality as key advantages for the GOP. He singled out Nevada state Senator Carrie Buck, who is challenging incumbent Representative Dina Titus in Tuesday's primary, calling her “one of the best candidates” the party has ever fielded. “Every metric that you have in elections, we’re ahead,” Hudson asserted.
Despite the upbeat tone, Hudson acknowledged that the fight for control of the House will be tight. “I mean, 435 seats, less than 30 are going to determine the majority, but in those 30 we’re poised to win,” he said. The narrow battlefield underscores the high stakes in races across the country, including those in states like New Mexico, where primaries are setting the stage for November showdowns.
Some Republican lawmakers have privately worried that President Trump's military confrontation with Iran could complicate the party's electoral prospects, particularly if rising energy costs hurt voters' wallets. Hudson pushed back against that concern, defending the administration's actions and echoing White House assurances that any economic pain is temporary. “What we have is a temporary situation because President Trump said we’re not going to let Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said.
Hudson also addressed Trump's controversial remark last month that he does not “think about Americans’ financial situations” during negotiations with Iran. The congressman argued the comment was taken out of context, insisting that Trump “cares deeply about what people are going through” and is “a person of great empathy and warmth.”
The campaign chief's remarks come as the GOP works to defend its slim majority amid a challenging political environment. With redistricting reshaping the map and key primaries still unfolding, both parties are gearing up for what is expected to be a fiercely competitive election cycle.
