Democrat TJ Cox widened his lead Wednesday over incumbent Rep. David Valadao, R-Calif., enough for the race to be called in his favor.

The result solidifies the so-called "blue wave" that had been hyped up before the midterm elections. Democrats flipped 40 seats in the lower chamber -- their largest gains since the Watergate era; they only needed 23 to take command of the House next term.

Two days after Cox jumped ahead for the first time, resulting in the Associated Press and NBC News reversing their calls for Valadao, his lead grew from 0.40 percent to 0.46 percent.





As a result, House editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report Dave Wasserman announced a projection Wednesday: "T.J. Cox (D) has defeated Rep. David Valadao (R) in #CA21, an upset that brings Dems to a *40 seat* gain overall. Final House breakdown: 235D, 200R."

He was followed by the Los Angeles Times and Decision Desk HQ, a website which calls elections, which tweeted: "It is over for Congressman David Valadao in #CA21. His best county's provisionals reported today, and broke for the Democrat, TJ Cox. Outstanding votes are going to be more of the same. That makes a forty seat gain for the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives."

The Democrats also declared victory after Kings County, which is considered a GOP stronghold, showed a final tally going Cox's way.

"With an additional 1,438 ballots counted in [Kings] County today, Cox actually INCREASED his lead by a net 70 votes. This brings his total lead to 506 votes. This race is over people. And means Dems will ultimately flip 40 seats in 2018 midterms," tweeted Meredith Kelly, communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Cox later put out a statement which called him the "Representative-elect" and he thanked Valadao and his family for six years of service.



BREAKING: We have won!



This campaign succeeded because of the tireless efforts of thousands of people. Our communities came together and made this possible.



Thank you for your support #CA21, I am truly honored to be your next Representative. See my statement below: pic.twitter.com/VGpzrbBkW5 — TJ Cox (@TJCoxCongress) November 28, 2018

Valadao has not yet conceded the race and California's deadline for county election officials to certify ballot results is Dec. 7.

Valadao, a three-term congressman who represents the heavily Hispanic and mostly rural 21st Congressional District south of Fresno, is an outspoken proponent of immigration reform and protecting the so-called Dreamers, individuals brought to the U.S. illegally as young children by their parents. However, Cox ran on a campaign tying President Trump's hard-line immigration stances to his Republican opponent.

Prognosticators watching the race began to change their outlooks last week, expressing ever growing confidence that Cox, who trailed by more than 4,000 votes on election night but had been bridging the gap ever since, would likely be the winner.