Midterm elections: 12 House races to watch to judge size of a GOP 'wave'

Most observers expect Republicans to take over the House of Representatives, but more than 100 races could go either way. The magic number Republicans need to gain to take control: 39. Here are a handful of races to keep an eye on in the states with early-closing polls.

7. Ohio's Sixth

Ohio, where the polls close at 7:30, is filled with races to watch. Its Sixth District, held by Democrat Charlie Wilson, is yet another example of a moderate-to-conservative district in which a Democratic incumbent has gotten in trouble by voting for too many unpopular Democratic bills.

It’s still a tossup – and without a lot of polling, it’s hard to know who has the upper hand – but it seems likely that Republican challenger Bill Johnson might pick up this seat.

Other races to keep an eye on in Ohio: the First, 15th, and 16th, all of which Republicans are more likely to win (and if they don’t, it’s a good sign for Democrats). The 18th is a tossup where Democrats might have a slightly better chance.

The 13th and 10th lean Democratic and are also worth watching. If Republicans win in either of those two, it’s another very bad sign for Democrats.

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