Republicans have officially retaken the Senate.

The GOP will hold at least 51 seats.

Nebraska provided the tipping point, with incumbent Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) defeating independent challenger Dan Osborn.

Fischer’s win, combined with West Virginia and Ohio flipping red, gave the GOP control of the Senate.

How large of a majority will Republicans have in the upper legislative chamber?

That’s the question now.

WATCH:

From the Associated Press:

Republicans seized control of the US Senate late Tuesday after flipping Democratic held seats, holding onto GOP incumbents and wresting away the majority for the first time in four years.

The unexpected battleground of Nebraska pushed Republicans over the top. Incumbent GOP Sen. Deb Fischer brushed back a surprisingly strong challenge from independent newcomer Dan Osborn.

Democrats watched their efforts to salvage their slim majority slip out of reach as tallies rolled in across a map that favored Republicans.

Early in the night, Republicans flipped one seat in West Virginia, with the election of Jim Justice, who easily replaced retiring Sen. Joe Manchin.

Democratic efforts to oust firebrand Republicans Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida collapsed.

While Texas hasn’t elected a statewide Democrat in almost 30 years, Colin Allred, a Dallas-area congressman and former NFL linebacker, positioned himself as a moderate and leaned into his support for reproductive rights amid Texas’ abortion ban, which is one of the strictest in the nation.

Per NewsNation:

The Democrats have controlled the Senate since January 20, 2021, when President Joe Biden took office. Of the Senate’s 100 seats, the Democrats have occupied 47 while the Republicans have filled 49 entering Tuesday’s election. Despite the GOP filling more seats, the Democrats maintain a slim majority because of the caucusing status of four independent U.S. senators.

They include Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vermont), Sen. Angus King (Maine), Sen. Krysten Sinema (Arizona) and Sen. Joe Manchin (West Virginia).

Sanders, King, and Manchin all caucus with the Democrats while Sinema — a former registered Democrat — has said she won’t caucus with the Republicans, USA Today reported. Because of these alliances, the Democrats currently hold a 51-49 majority despite occupying fewer seats.

Both Sinema and Manchin are not seeking reelection.

 

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