Edison Research predicted on Saturday that Democrats will retain control of the U.S. Senate after Senator Catherine Cortez Masto won re-election in Nevada, delivering President Joe Biden a big victory.
As authorities resumed counting votes cast in Tuesday's midterm elections, Republicans were near to gaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cortez Masto barely defeated former state attorney general Adam Laxalt, a Republican opponent backed by former President Donald Trump.
With Masto's winning and Democratic Senator Mark Kelly's re-election victory in Arizona on Friday night, Democrats will control at least 50 of the 100 Senate seats, with Vice President Kamala Harris empowered to break ties.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer stated during a press conference, "America showed that we believe in our democracy and that the roots are deep and strong."
Currently, the Senate is evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. On January 3, 2023, the newly elected Senate will be sworn in.
With continued control of the Senate, Democrats will be able to continue approving Biden's nominations like federal judgeships. If a vacancy occurs within the following two years, the Supreme Court will appoint a new justice.
If Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock were to defeat Republican rival Herschel Walker on December 6, the Democrats' advantage would increase to 51-49. This would offer Democrats an additional advantage in passing the few bills that can be passed with a simple majority of votes, as opposed to the bulk of legislation, which requires 60 votes.
It would also reduce the power of Democratic Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, "swing" votes who have opposed or delayed some of Biden's biggest priorities, including the extension of certain social programs.
In Washington's 3rd congressional district, where Democrat Marie Glusenkamp Perez beat Trump supporter Joe Kent, the Democrats achieved a big upset on Saturday.
In Nevada, the Democratic candidate for secretary of state, the state's top election officer, won the election. Jim Marchant, a Republican who backed Trump's phony assertion that he lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden due to voting fraud, was defeated.
In Michigan and Arizona, Republicans who endorsed Trump's phony claim and wanted to be their state's top elections officials were rejected by Democrats.
Kelly, the Democratic senator for Arizona, was anticipated to retain his seat on Friday night, defeating Republican Blake Masters, who, like Laxalt, was backed by Trump. This was a significant boost for the Democrats. Masters has not admitted defeat.
