In a major election night, Republicans are close to securing a majority in the US Senate. They flipped seats in West Virginia and Ohio, where businessman Bernie Moreno won against long-term Senator Sherrod Brown. Gov. Jim Justice, known for his lively persona and pet bulldog, took West Virginia. With these wins, Republicans need just one more seat to control the upper chamber.
Before this, Democrats had a slim majority, 51-49, and had to defend 23 of the 34 seats up for grabs. Swing states like Arizona, Michigan, and Pennsylvania still had close races. Democrats aimed to gain ground in Florida and Texas but failed.
In West Virginia, coal baron Justice will replace retiring Senator Joe Manchin. Justice criticized Washington's dysfunction in his victory speech. Moreno's win in Ohio makes him the first person of color to represent the state in the Senate.
A Republican-controlled Senate could boost former President Trump's legislative power if he wins the presidency. However, a divided government, where different parties control the Senate and House, would complicate governance.
