SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

Democrats await Nevada election result that could seal their U.S. Senate majority

After Tuesday’s bitterly contested midterm elections, Nevada’s vote-counting process restarted on Saturday as the campaigning for a Dec. 6 runoff in Georgia got up. Democrats were one seat away from gaining control of the US Senate for the upcoming year.

If Nevada’s Republican Adam Laxalt is defeated by incumbent Democratic Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, her party will hold 50 of the Senate’s 100 seats.

A Democratic victory in Georgia next month would then give the party absolute majority control of a Senate by 51 votes to 49 votes. A Democratic defeat in Georgia and a victory in Nevada would still leave the Democrats responsible for a 50-50 Senate as Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris can break the tie.

The Senate is currently split 50/50 between Democrats and Republicans. The newly elected Senate will be sworn in on January 3rd.

With almost 97% of the votes counted in the Nevada Senate race, Laxalt led by around 800 votes. However, untold votes from Cortez Masto’s strongholds could help her win.

Control of the Senate was controversial, as it was not yet known which party would hold the majority in the US House of Representatives in the next two years. Republicans continued to have an advantage, but returns were still pouring in for several races, including many in liberal-leaning California.

Before the results of enough house elections are known, at least a few more days may pass before it is possible to tell which party will dominate this 435-seat chamber.

Late on Friday, it appeared like Democratic Senator Mark Kelly would win re-election to his position in Arizona by defeating Republican Blake Masters.

Former astronaut and Navy fighter pilot Kelly claimed he was “humiliated” by the voters who supported his bid for reelection.

In the Arizona governor’s race, where Democrat Katie Hobbs has a slim lead over Republican Kari Lake, no winner has yet been predicted.

    Source:
  • Reuters