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House Control Outlook for 2026 Tightens as Democrats' Odds Slip on Kalshi

CNN analyst Harry Enten attributes the shift to slower Democratic gains on the generic ballot.

Overview

  • Kalshi prediction-market odds for Democrats retaking the House have fallen from about 83% in April to roughly 63% by mid-October, according to CNN’s Harry Enten.
  • Republicans’ chances of keeping control have risen from about 17% to around 37%, moving the contest closer to a toss-up that still slightly favors Democrats.
  • Enten contrasts 2025 polling with 2017–2018, noting Democrats have not expanded a roughly three-point generic-ballot edge into the larger lead seen ahead of the 2018 midterms.
  • He cautions that mid-decade redistricting appears to tilt toward the GOP, estimating a potential baseline gain of about seven seats if both parties maximize their maps.
  • Enten adds that a forthcoming Supreme Court decision on the Voting Rights Act could further boost GOP prospects by roughly 10 to 17 seats in some scenarios, and recent Washington Post/Ipsos polling shows GOP leads on the economy, immigration, and crime.