Staff Reports
Republican Jim Justice scored a key victory on election night in West Virginia, claiming the seat formerly held by retiring Independent Senator Joe Manchin. With this triumph, the GOP is just one seat shy of regaining control of the Senate, a goal that looks increasingly feasible as election results roll in. However, the night took on a dramatic flair, with party control still hanging in the balance as 19 of the 34 races were called by 11 p.m. ET.
Justice’s win demonstrates that West Virginians are not shy about helping the GOP push forward, especially after Manchin’s recent exit from the Democrat ranks. He was more of an independent thinker than a staunch Democrat anyhow, so the switcheroo was hardly a surprise. Now all eyes are turned toward Ohio, where Republican Bernie Moreno is locked in a nail-biter of a race against incumbent Democrat Sherrod Brown. This contest is so tight it could turn out to be the political equivalent of watching paint dry.
BREAKING: Republicans have taken the Senate majority for the first time in four years after flipping seats in West Virginia and Ohio.
Read more: https://t.co/DC7vYk1O9e pic.twitter.com/NRAeTd3NqA
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) November 6, 2024
The stakes couldn’t be higher with this election. If former President Donald Trump pulls off a win against Vice President Kamala Harris, the Republicans would only need to nab one more seat to take the upper chamber. It’s a classic case of putting their faith in the former president, who has been known to rally the troops like no one else. But for Democrats, potential losses loom large; they can afford to lose one seat but are sweating bullets knowing that the tie-breaking power falls squarely on Harris’s shoulders.
Meanwhile, in Montana, tensions are rising as incumbent Democrat Jon Tester faces off against GOP challenger Tim Sheehy. With Sheehy trailing by about six percentage points early on Election Day, the Republicans are optimistic this seat might flip. Confidence in gaining ground has reached a fever pitch among Republicans—their dreams of reclaiming power in the Senate are dancing just out of reach, depending on how the chips fall in the remaining races.
On a somewhat lighter note, not everything is sunshine and roses for the Democrats. Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz has fended off a determined challenge from Democratic Rep. Collin Allred, with several outlets calling the race for Cruz just as the election night festivities neared their climax. This race exemplifies the trend where Texans, despite their challenges, keep leaning red. Then there’s Nebraska, where GOP Senator Debbie Fischer finds herself in a tighter debut than expected against Independent Dan Osborn, with polls indicating that they are neck-and-neck.
In the broader landscape, various seats were both won and lost. While Indiana GOP Rep. Jim Banks was projected to retain his seat, Independent Bernie Sanders in Vermont still basked in the glory of his continued Senate reign. However, the wins for Democrats in New Jersey and Delaware gave a quick pulse-check of how mixed the night remained. Ultimately, as results continue to come in, the evening encapsulates the ongoing battle for control over the Senate, one seat at a time.
