A Democratic senator has been re-elected in Arizona, US media said on Friday, bringing President Joe Biden’s party just one seat away from retaining a majority in the upper house.
49 seats for each side
Former astronaut Mark Kelly defeated his Republican opponent Blake Masters in this southwestern state, three television channels said.
His victory brings the number of Democratic senators to 49. Two seats remain to be filled: in Nevada, where the recount continues, and in Georgia, where a runoff is scheduled for December 6.
If the two parties ended up with 50 seats each and thus maintained the status quo, the Democrats would retain control of the Senate thanks to the vote of Vice President Kamala Harris. Blake Masters, the defeated candidate in Arizona, has yet to admit his setback.
Not the expected Republican “wave”
On Friday night, former President Donald Trump wrote on his social media that some voting machines had failed in Arizona, and the result was “a scam and voter fraud.” “Re-election!” he urged.
The Republican “wave” so expected by their supporters has not broken and, although the final results are not yet known, the Democrats seem to have managed to limit the damage.
Several days after Tuesday’s vote, control of Congress remains uncertain. The Republicans appeared to be on their way to winning a majority in the House of Representatives, but were still seven seats short.
Source: BFM TV
