GOP maintains slim margin in U.S. House

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans retained control of the House early today by the slimmest of margins, barely turning back a ferocious, well-financed Democratic bid to gain a majority.

"We figured it was going to be close," said Speaker Dennis Hastert - and it was.

Republicans picked up six Democratic seats in scattered states, enough to renew their hold for two more years. But their majority shrank when they gave back eight other seats elsewhere, including four in California.

On a night extremely kind to incumbents, only three lawmakers lost their seats, although a handful of others remained in races too close to call.

The victims included Republican Rep. James Rogan in California, who had a high-profile role in President Clinton's impeachment trial; fellow GOP Californian Brian Bilbray; and Democratic Sam Gejdenson in Connecticut.

A half-dozen seats remained in doubt, some of them agonizingly close.

First-term Democrat Rush Holt of New Jersey survived a near-death political experience - at least for the time being - appearing to lose his race, then pulling narrowly ahead when additional votes were unexpectedly reported.

Besides their Connecticut victory, Republicans won Democratic open seats in Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Missouri and West Virginia.

Shortly before 4 a.m. in the East, the national trend showed Republicans had won 218 seats and were leading for 4 more, with 218 required to seal control.

Democrats had won 209 seats, and were leading for 2 more.

In addition, each party could count the support of one independent.

Republicans had won six seats formerly held by Democrats, and were leading for two more.

Democrats had won eight seats formerly in GOP hands, and were leading for one more.