Two House Dems Concede; GOP Gains Stand at 63

Republicans gained two more House seats on Tuesday after Democratic incumbents conceded their close races.

After launching a recount in Texas's 27th Congressional District, Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D) today threw in the towel, conceding to Republican Blake Farenthold. The recount concluded Monday night with Ortiz trailing by about 800 votes. Ortiz had served in the House for 28 years. With his loss, the top five Democrats on the House Armed Services Committee will have exited Congress in the 2010 election cycle.

In upstate New York's 25th District, Rep. Dan Maffei conceded today to Republican Ann Marie Buerkle, trailing by 527 votes. Maffei had entered Congress in 2008.

That leaves three House races yet to be decided, with Republicans poised to pick up another seat and bring their total gains to 64 when all is said and done.

UPDATE: Democrats are poised to hold onto both of the seats that have yet to be decided, limiting GOP gains to 63, as Rep. Tim Bishop has taken a led over Republican Randy Altschuler as New York election officials have finished counting absentee ballots.