CBS News projects that Jon Ossoff defeated incumbent Senator David Perdue during the second round of the Senate election in Georgia, handing over control of the Senate by Democrats in a dramatic shift that rocked the balance of power in Washington. It was previously expected that Democrat Raphael Warnock would also win the state’s other second round against GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler.
The victories of Ossoff and Warnock ensure that the Democrats will have a 50-50 majority in the Senate, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris breaking any tie. This will make it easier for President-elect Joe Biden to carry out his legislative priorities and get his cabinet nominees confirmed quickly and without any hassle.
The news came in the midst of a chaotic and violent day in Washington when supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol, forcing Congress to pause while counting the electoral college votes.
“I’m so grateful to the people of Georgia,” Warnock, it will be first black senator elected from Georgia, said Wednesday on “CBS This Morning.” “They sent a strong and clear message last night when they sent a person who grew up in public housing, one of 12 kids in my family, I am the first graduate. That I serve in the United States Senate in a few days pushes against the grain of so many expectations. But this is America. “
Warnock, the pastor of the Atlanta Church once headed by Martin Luther King Jr., is only the second black senator to be elected from the South since Reconstruction.
Ossoff declared victory earlier on Wednesday morning. Although he beat Perdue by a smaller margin than Warnock defeated Loeffler, Georgia’s top election official said on Wednesday he thought it would be more than 0.5% to avoid a recount.
“I want to thank the people of Georgia for participating in these elections, everyone who voted, everyone who places your faith and trust in our democracy’s ability to deliver the representation we deserve, whether you were for me or against me, I’ll be for you in the US Senate, I’ll serve all the people of the state, “Ossoff said.