In crucial states for Trump’s path to the White House, incumbent Republican senators have cruised to victory in what had been previously expected to be close reelection contests.
Republican senator Rob Portman has won reelection in Ohio, according to the projection of the Associated Press. Portman defeated challenger Ted Strickland, former governor of the state.
Former presidential candidate Marco Rubio, who previously promised that that he would leave the Senate, easily took down wealthy Democrat Patrick Murphy in Florida.
Both races were called earlier than expected—and well in advance of their states’ presidential decisions.
In North Carolina, Richard Burr handily beat the former director of the ACLU in the state to hold onto his Senate seat. The race tightened somewhat suddenly in mid-summer and remained a dead heat. At the time of Burr’s win, North Carolina’s presidential choice was too close to call with 80 percent of precincts reporting.
Former republican presidential nominee John McCain, who faced a primary challenge and surprisingly hard fought general election contest, has also held on for a sixth six-year term as Arizona senator. McCain, who rejected Donald Trump as recently as early October, faced earlier criticism of the nominee for having himself been a valorous prisoner of war.
Incumbent Pat Toomey, a conservative Republican senator in blue Pennsylvania, won what was always expected to be an uphill race toward his second six-year term against challenger Katie McGinty. His victory, which AP called after 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, likely sealed the Republican Senate majority.
Missouri senator Roy Blunt, who’s served in the Senate for almost twenty years, beat out 35-year-old rival Jason Kander, best known for a viral campaign ad that showcased his blind gun assembly skills. Before AP could call the race for Blunt, Kander conceded via Twitter at 10:26 PM, “Congratulations to Senator Blunt on his re-election. And thank you to all of my supports. I’m so proud of you and I will never forget you.” Nearly four hours later, with 90 percent of precincts reporting, AP called the race for Blunt.
