Republican Tim Sheehy triumphed over Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) in Montana’s crucial Senate race, expanding the GOP majority in the Senate.
Sheehy led Tester 53%-45% when the race was called by the Associated Press at 6:26 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday.
The bitter contest was the most competitive in the country as the de facto majority-maker seat, holding the most sway over which party would control the Senate.
In addition to helping propel Republicans back into the Senate majority in Washington, Sheehy’s win means the GOP in Montana will achieve a feat only seen once before in the state’s history: a sweep of its Senate seats, governor’s mansion, and both legislative chambers at the same time. Republicans have not concurrently held them all since 1896.
