Republicans Take Senate

Republicans claimed control of the Senate on Tuesday, marking the first time since 2006 the party will control both chambers of Congress. Republicans picked up seats in Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, and West Virginia. The race hinged late Tuesday on the results in Iowa, Alaska, North Carolina, and in Virginia. Iowa Republican Joni Ernst beat Democrat Bruce Braley and in North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis ousted Democratic incumbent Sen. Kay Hagan, reported Reuters. Overall Republicans won seven new seats, with several races still to be called—one more than needed to capture the majority. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) won 56.2 percent of the votes with 100 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday, beating Democratic candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes. McConnell, who won his sixth term, is widely expected to become majority leader. “Tomorrow papers will say I won this race, but the truth is, tonight we begin another one. One that is far more important than mine. And that is the race to turn this country around,” said McConnell in his victory speech. “I don’t expect the President to wake up tomorrow and view the world any differently than he did this morning. He knows I won’t either,” he added. Republicans also maintained control of the House and appeared poised to expand their 234-seat majority late Tuesday.