House Control Hangs in Balance

Nov. 1 -- Just a handful of seats separate Democratic from Republican control of the House — a body that hasn't been this balanced since 1954.

An incumbent loss here, a come-from-behind victory there, and GOP House Speaker Dennis Hastert could trade offices with House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt in January. But no one should be packing boxes yet.

History gives an edge to the opposition during elections where the nation isn't picking a president. In 32 of 34 midterm elections since the Civil War, the president's party has lost seats. But only once this century, in 1994, has Congress changed control in a midterm election and that's when Republicans assumed the majority.

Most experts find only about 35 of the 435 House races competitive. We've tried to narrow this down to five races that could sway the House's control. Here then is the ABCNEWS.com Five-Pack.

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No. 1 — South Dakota At Large

In her House race with Gov. Bill Janklow, 31-year-old Democratic newcomer Stephanie Herseth is fast-becoming the candidate who could. The contest itself has been exceedingly cordial. The one and only negative television ad, produced the National Republican Congressional Committee, was pulled at Janklow's request.

But political experts believe Janklow may have underestimated his young challenger; and this could prove a costly mistake in a state that has no trouble electing young competitors over more experienced candidates. Years ago, South Dakota voters narrowly first elected a 31-year old Tom Daschle to the House by only 139 votes. Now Daschle is Senate majority leader.

Most state polls show Janklow with a slim, if not statistically insignificant, lead. But Democrats hope Herseth's positive approach and momentum will sway undecided/independent voters, putting her over the edge and into the House.

No. 2 — Indiana's Second District

The South Bend Tribune has called the race between Republican Chris Chocola and Democrat Jill Long Thompson, "...one of the most expensive, most contentious and most important races in the nation." The mudslinging has included everything from bad checks to questioning patriotism.