Republicans Take Senate

Republicans retain House majority and control of both chambers of Congress for Obama’s last two years in office.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., joined by his wife, Elaine Chao, celebrates with his supporters at an election night party in Louisville, Ky.,on Nov. 4, 2014. AP Photo/Scott Applewhite

As of 11:30 p.m., the Republicans had picked up six Senate seats, assuring them control of the upper chamber. With Republicans having a good chance to score pick ups in any one of 3 other states, their tally in the Senate is likely to grow. 

In the first big news on election night, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, dispatched his Democratic challenger Alison Grimes in Kentucky. A few weeks ago polls showed this race to be tight, but in the end McConnell won pulling away. 

Voters are “hungry for new leadership. They want a reason to be hopeful,” said the man in line to become majority leader and set the Senate agenda if his party gains control.

Soon after, other Republicans made breakthroughs. Republican Tim Scott of South Carolina became the first black senator elected in the Deep South since Reconstruction. Republican Governor Nikki Haley appointed him in 2013, and he won reelection. Scott’s South Carolina colleague Lindsey Graham won his third term in the Senate.

Republican Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va. and candidate for U.S. Senate, heads to her polling place to vote Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 in the South Hills neighborhood of Charleston, W.Va., accompanied by her husband, Charlie Capito, left. AP Photo/Charleston Daily Mail, Tom Hindman