Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s victory over Adam Laxalt in Nevada was enough to hand Democrats a majority in the Senate, without even needing to worry about the Georgia runoff. Democrats now hold 50 seats compared to the 49 seats held by Republicans with one seat yet to be decided between Republican Herschel Walker and Democratic Sen. Raphael.
Even if Walker was to win in December, Democrats would still have Vice President Harris’ vote to break the 50-50 tie.
In a press conference on Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer reacted the news of Democratic majority, saying, “This election is a victory, a victory and a vindication for Democrats, our agenda and for the American people,”
Poor performances by Republican Senate candidates in this years midterms has led some to call for Mitch McConnell to be replaced as minority leader. Critics believe McConnell didn’t invest enough money in winnable states like Arizona and Blake Masters had this to say after his defeat to Mark Kelly:
“The people who control the purse strings, Senate Leadership Fund, Mitch McConnell — McConnell decided to spend millions of dollars attacking a fellow Republican in Alaska instead of helping me defeat Senator Mark Kelly,”
“Had he chosen to spend money in Arizona, this race would be over we’d be celebrating a Senate Majority right now,”
Some Republicans are calling for the Senate leadership elections to be delayed until after the Georgia runoff but McConnell is reported be moving forward on schedule.