Republicans wrested control of the United States Senate from the Democrats, US media projected early Wednesday, ending four years in the minority and marking a significant boost for the party in its quest to dominate all branches of government.
The victory positions Republicans to strongly support the incoming president in enacting their agenda and appointing justices to the US Supreme Court if Donald Trump prevails — but could lead to legislative deadlock if his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, wins.
The US Capitol comprises the House of Representatives — where all 435 seats are contested — and a 100-member Senate, with 34 seats at stake this year.
Congressional elections run alongside the presidential race.
The sitting Republican governor of West Virginia, Jim Justice, pleased his party by winning the Senate race to replace retiring independent Joe Manchin, who had voted with the Democrats.
Ohio shifted to Republican control after long-serving Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown was defeated by Bernie Moreno, a Trump-endorsed businessman and son of a former senior Colombian government official.
Fox News and ABC called the race for control of the Senate after Republican Senator Deb Fischer fended off an unexpectedly strong challenge from an independent candidate in Nebraska.
“I look forward to working with President Trump and our new conservative majority to make America great again by making the Senate work again,” said Texas Senator John Cornyn, a contender to lead the Republican majority from January.
The wins by Justice and Moreno reversed the Democrats’ 51-49 Senate advantage, with Republicans now aiming to increase their lead with potential gains in Montana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Democrats had hoped to offset losses with potential gains in Texas and Florida but conceded both as incumbent Republicans secured comfortable victories.
If Republicans win all remaining contested seats, they would hold 55 of the 100 Senate seats, giving them substantial influence to advance Trump’s domestic agenda and judicial appointments, should he defeat Harris.
For the first time in history, two Black women will serve simultaneously in the US Senate, following victories by Democrats Angela Alsobrooks and Lisa Blunt Rochester in Maryland and Delaware, respectively.
Only three Black women, including Harris, have previously served in the Senate.
Nonpartisan finance monitor OpenSecrets reports that over $10 billion has been spent on congressional candidates this cycle — slightly less than in 2020 but almost twice as much as the $5.5 billion spent on the 2024 White House race.
While the Senate approves treaties and certain presidential appointments, all revenue-raising bills must start in the House, where the majority outcome could take days to finalise.
Although currently in the minority, Democrats see a more achievable path to gaining control of the lower chamber, needing only to flip four seats.
In another historic milestone, Sarah McBride will become the first openly transgender politician elected to Congress after defeating Republican John Whalen III for a House seat representing Delaware. (AFP)
