Democrat Katie Porter squeaks to reelection in Southern California House race

Democratic California Rep. Katie Porter is projected to win her reelection bid after narrowly defeating a strong Republican challenger.

The Associated Press projected Porter as the winner on Friday, more than a week after the election. Porter led Republican Scott Baugh by a 51.6% to 48.4% margin, amounting to roughly 8,200 votes. The district was much altered following a redistricting effort, which left the incumbent more vulnerable to Baugh's challenge.

Porter spent a sizeable $2.4 million to retain her seat, the outlet noted.

Hers was one of the last House races the AP called, though multiple seats in California remain close contests. The GOP retook the House of Representatives on Wednesday after the outlet projected Republican California Rep. Mike Garcia to win reelection.

Though the GOP triumphed in the lower chamber, it significantly underperformed polling expectations and will likely enter the next congressional session with a single-digit majority. Trump-backed GOP Senate candidates meanwhile, largely failed to win tight races and Democrats retained control of the upper chamber with at least 50 seats. Trump-backed Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker will proceed to a runoff contest against Georgia Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.

The projection for Porter comes on the same day that conservative firebrand Lauren Boebert claimed victory in an unexpectedly close reelection bid following her opponent's concession.