On Tuesday night, Republicans regained control of the U.S. Senate, securing key victories in West Virginia and Ohio, with an unexpected win in Nebraska bolstering their majority.
This marks the first time in four years that the Republican Party has captured a Senate majority.
In Nebraska, incumbent GOP Senator Deb Fischer overcame a surprisingly competitive challenge from independent candidate Dan Osborn.
As results came in across a map that favored Republicans, Democrats saw their slim majority slip away. In Ohio, multiple U.S. media outlets projected a win for Republican Bernie Moreno over incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown. These two critical wins guaranteed Republicans at least a 51-49 edge in the Senate, with further gains possible as votes are finalized in other close races.
Republicans also made gains in their bid to retain control of the House, where they currently hold a narrow 220-212 advantage. In North Carolina, they picked up three seats from Democrats, benefiting from newly redrawn district lines.
Meanwhile, Democrats claimed a Republican-held seat in Alabama, following a U.S. Supreme Court mandate to establish a Black-majority district.
To regain control of the 435-seat chamber, Democrats now need to flip at least six seats. The outcome could hinge on a small pool of undecided voters, as fewer than 40 House races are considered highly competitive.
Republicans have a chance to expand their Senate majority further with potential wins in Montana, where Democrat Jon Tester faces a difficult reelection, and in several competitive Midwestern states.
However, it remains unlikely that Republicans will achieve the 60-seat supermajority needed to advance most legislation.
