In a surprising turn of events, Republican candidate Kari Lake conceded defeat to Democrat Reuben Gallego in the last pending Senate race of the 2024 election. This means that Republicans will now hold a three-seat majority in the Senate, with 53 seats compared to 47 split between 43 Democrats and four independents.
Gallego, a five-term House member and Iraq War veteran, will replace former Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in the Senate. This win for the Democrats comes after they lost control of the upper chamber in 2021, following special elections in Georgia.
With Republican former President Donald Trump now declared as the president-elect, and the expectation that they will retain control of the House of Representatives, the GOP is set for a clean sweep in the 2024 elections. This control over both chambers of Congress will give them significant influence over presidential nominations, including Supreme Court justices.
The outcome of the Senate race in Arizona further highlights the trend of split-ticket voting in the 2024 election, where Democrats performed better down-ballot than they did in the presidential race. Now, Republicans are focusing on the remaining House races to secure firm control over the legislative agenda of the U.S. until at least 2026.
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Democrat Gallego emerges victorious in Arizona Senate race, shifting balance of power in favor of Republicans | Latest Updates on US Election 2024
