Democrats’ prospects for gaining management of the Senate additional dimmed Wednesday as Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins of Maine turned the most recent GOP incumbent to beat again a challenger.
Collins, who polls instructed was on observe to lose on Election Day, efficiently fended off a fierce problem from Democratic Maine Home Speaker Sara Gideon to win a fifth time period in workplace. The race was probably the most intently watched within the nation — in addition to the costliest within the state’s historical past — and was a seat Democrats had believed they may flip.
“Let me say what a rare honor it’s to symbolize the nice state of Maine and to know that I’ll have the chance to serve all of Maine for the following six years,” Collins mentioned in short remarks Wednesday, including, “I really feel that that is an affirmation of the work that I’m doing in Washington.”
Gideon thanked her supporters and mentioned that “whatever the consequence, we constructed a motion that may assist us make progress for years to come back.”
However that motion fell brief in Maine and throughout the map as Election Day stretched into Wednesday.
Republicans held a 53-47 majority heading into Election Day. The Democrats wanted a web acquire of 4 seats, or three seats and the White Home, to take management.
However Democrats confronted disappointment as Republicans retained their seats in a single race after one other, offsetting Democratic positive aspects.
The Dems picked up must-win seats in Colorado and Arizona, the place former Gov. John Hickenlooper and former astronaut Mark Kelly ousted Republican incumbents U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner and U.S. Sen. Martha McSally, respectively.
However Democratic U.S. Sen. Doug Jones misplaced to Republican former Auburn College soccer coach Tommy Tuberville in Alabama, after which Gideon fell brief in Maine. Key races in North Carolina and Michigan remained undecided Wednesday night. And a minimum of one Georgia Senate race headed for a runoff in January.
Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell, who himself received re-election in Kentucky on Tuesday, mentioned that whereas Republicans nonetheless face challenges, “We had, general, I feel a greater election than most individuals thought we have been going to have.”
However with neither social gathering in a position to declare a majority on Wednesday and the race for the White Home nonetheless undecided, McConnell mentioned, “I don’t know whether or not I’m going to be the bulk chief or the minority chief. I’ve been each, the bulk’s higher.”
Democratic strategist Scott Ferson mentioned each events are going to wish to do some soul looking going ahead.
“There wasn’t a Democratic wave,” Ferson mentioned. “There was ardour across the race however not the problems.”
Herald wire providers contributed to this report.
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