The path for Republicans to capture the House majority

As Tuesday melded into Wednesday, the man who aims to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives declared victory in the midterm elections.

"It is clear that we are going to take the House back," House Republican Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy proclaimed late on election night. "We will be in the majority and [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi will be in the minority."

While the odds are in their favor, as of Wednesday afternoon, the House GOP had not grasped the majority and the balance of power in the...