Republicans seized control of the US Senate. on Tuesday night after snatching Democratic-held seats, keeping Republican senators who already held a seat in the upper chamber.
The unexpected battleground in Nebraska pushed Republicans over the threshold. Republican Senator Deb Fischer turned back a surprisingly strong challenge from freshman independent Dan Osborn.
Democrats saw their efforts to salvage their narrow majority fade as results came in from a map that favored Republicans.
Earlier in the night, Republicans gained a seat in West Virginia, with the election of Jim Justice, who easily replaced retiring Senator Joe Manchin.
Democratic efforts to dislodge more combative Republicans, such as Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida, failed.
With control of Congress at stake, the House and Senate races will determine which party retains the majority and the power to push or block a president’s agenda, or whether the White House faces a divided Capitol.
On the other hand, Sarah McBride, a House candidate and Democratic state legislator from Delaware who is close to the Biden family, won her race, becoming the first openly transgender person elected to Congress.
Congress plays a role in the American tradition of transferring presidential power peacefully. Four years ago, Trump sent his crowd of supporters to “fight like hell” on Capitol Hill, and many Republicans in Congress voted to block Joe Biden’s election. Again, Congress will be called upon to certify the results of the presidential election in 2025.
Records show that if Democrats take the House and Republicans take the Senate, it would be the first time both houses of Congress switch parties to opposite political parties.