WASHINGTON — The Republican Party has regained control of the United States Senate for the 119th Congress, marking a decisive victory in the 2024 midterm elections.
The Associated Press projected that Republicans will hold at least 51 seats, securing a majority after capturing key battleground states and toppling prominent Democratic incumbents.
In a significant win for the GOP, Republican candidates prevailed in nine competitive races, including Ohio and West Virginia. In Ohio, Republican businessman Bernie Moreno unseated long-time incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown by a four-point margin. He benefited from support from fellow Ohioan and Republican vice-presidential nominee, Sen. JD Vance.
Meanwhile, in West Virginia, popular two-term Governor Jim Justice defeated retiring Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin. Justice’s victory comes after an extensive campaign push that leveraged his high approval ratings in a state that voted heavily for former President Donald Trump in recent elections.
Montana was another victory for Republicans, as former Navy SEAL and businessman Tim Sheehy overcame three-term incumbent Sen. Jon Tester, ending months of polling that consistently showed Sheehy with a significant lead. The combined efforts of Senate Republican leaders, including Sen. Mitch McConnell and NRSC Chair Sen. Steve Daines, who helped recruit candidates like Justice and Sheehy, were instrumental in the GOP’s success.
Despite their triumphs in several states, the Republicans faced a setback in Maryland, where Democrat Angela Alsobrooks defeated former Governor Larry Hogan by a substantial margin. Elsewhere, Democratic incumbents maintained a strong financial edge, out-fundraising Republican challengers in the 11 most competitive races.
According to reports, Democrats raised nearly twice as much in eight of these contests, giving them an advantage that Republicans had to overcome through strategic campaigning and voter mobilization.
Texas and Nebraska races proved challenging for Republicans as well, with GOP incumbents Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Deb Fischer facing unexpectedly competitive opposition. Cruz, running for a third term, defeated former NFL player Rep. Colin Allred in Texas. In Nebraska, Fischer successfully defended her seat against Independent Dan Osborn, whose strong campaign closed the polling gap in the final weeks.
The GOP majority not only secures their legislative power but also places the Senate in a critical position to confirm or block executive and judicial appointments. Republican Senate Whip John Thune explained that a Harris administration would face significant challenges pushing any nominees that stray from the political center.
The upcoming retirement of longtime Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also set the stage for a leadership contest, with Thune and Sen. John Cornyn both positioning themselves as allies to Trump, should he secure the presidency.
Republicans’ return to the Senate majority marks the end of a four-year stint in the minority and comes after unsuccessful attempts to regain control in 2022. This shift will allow Senate Republicans to act as a formidable check on the Harris administration’s policies, or to closely align with Trump’s agenda if he returns to office.