Democrats will retain control of the U.S. Senate after an expected victory in Nevada.
Incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto won 48.7 percent of the vote, edging out Republican former state attorney general Adam Laxalt with 48.2 percent. far.
Ms. Cortez Masto, 58, has campaigned fiercely on abortion and criticized Mr. Laxalt’s ties to major oil companies that have made record profits in recent months.
Mr. Laxalt has tried to link Ms. Cortez Masto to President Joe Biden’s economic policies, blaming them for inflation and rising fuel prices.
The election result came a day after Democrat Mark Kelly won in Arizona, beating his Republican challenger Blake Masters, who, like Mr. Laxalter, got former President Donald Trump General support.
That means Democrats have 50 seats in the Senate.
Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris could break ties in the 100-member House, meaning the party could win for President Joe Biden.
This will be especially important if the U.S. Supreme Court seat, which currently holds a 6-3 conservative majority, opens in the final two years of Biden’s term.
read more:
Democrat Mark Kelly wins Arizona Senate race, overall control still in balance
Surge in Republican support for Trump fails to take off
Donald Trump may soon be yesterday’s news as right-wing US media turns to Ron DeSantis
President Biden said he was “very pleased” with the election turnout.
“We’re focused on Georgia right now. We feel good about where we are. And I know I’m a cocky optimist. I understand that,” he said.
“Again, I’m not surprised by the turnout. I’m very happy. I think it reflects the quality of our candidates.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said: “We’ve done a lot and we’ll do more for the American people.
“The American people reject – totally reject – the anti-democratic, authoritarian, dirty and divisive direction that MAGA Republicans want to take away from our country.”
Click to subscribe to Sky News Daily, wherever you get the podcast
The final state to decide is Georgia, where Democratic Sen. Rafael Warnock will run off against Republican Herschel Walker on Dec. 6.
However, the 435-seat House of Representatives remains in balance.
Republicans have the edge, but votes are still being counted in several races, including many in liberal-leaning California.
If Democrats manage to win the House, that would mean full Democrats control of Congress — and another opportunity to advance Biden’s priorities.
The party still lacks the 60 votes it needs to push through a variety of major legislative changes in the Senate.