Wisconsin Republican Sen. Ron Johnson called Milwaukee’s vote retabulation “unbelievably sloppy” after election officials proceeded with a recount of more than 30,000 absentee ballots due to tabulation issues on Tuesday.
“This was unbelievably sloppy,” Johnson said. “They didn’t start the count for quite some time. We have slow counts in Racine and Green Bay as well..what is wrong with their procedure where they don’t go through these machines?”
“I think one of the 13 to 15 of these things here, it’s not that hard,” Johnson said. “I mean, you ought to have a procedure sheet... they’ve got one job to do and they don’t do it very well.”
Milwaukee city spokesperson Jeff Fleming told reporters Tuesday that officials decided to order the recount for the 31,000 ballots after discovering issues with 13 tabulator machines.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram, Mike Tobin, and Breanne Deppisch contributed to this post.
Fox News is projecting that Republican Congressman John Curtis will move to the Senate, succeeding retiring Senator Mitt Romney.
Meanwhile, the Fox News Decision Desk says it is too early to call the race for the U.S. Senate race for Montana. Longtime rural Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who has served in the Senate since 2007, is in the political fight of his life against Republican former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy.
Nevada is also too early to call. This senate race is between incumbent Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen and Republican Army veteran Sam Brown.
Delaware state Sen. Sarah McBride has been elected to the U.S. House and will become the first openly transgender person to serve in Congress.
McBride easily defeated Republican John Whalen IIII on Tuesday in the race for Delaware’s lone House seat. Whalen is a retired construction company owner and former state trooper who ran a shoestring campaign in his first bid for public office.
McBride, meanwhile, has established a national profile as an LGBTQ activist and raised more than $3 million in campaign contributions from around the country.
She achieved national recognition at the 2016 Democratic National Convention as the first openly transgender person to address a major party convention in the United States.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
{{#rendered}}Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee championed her re-election Tuesday night and told her supporters that she is "humbled" to once again receive their vote.
"Tonight’s victory belongs to the people of Tennessee,” Blackburn said in a statement to Fox News. “You have been heard.
SEN. BLACKBURN SLAMS MAYORKAS OVER BORDER CRISIS
"To all of the Tennesseans who are struggling to make ends meet, to pay for gas and groceries; to the angel families who have lost loved ones from the violent criminals and drugs coming across our southern border; to all those who worry about sending your kids to play in your yard; to the parents who have worked with us to pass the Kids Online Safety Act; to the young and old who still believe America is the greatest country on earth – Six years ago, Tennesseans elected me as the first woman Senator to serve the Volunteer State, and I am humbled that they have chosen to re-elect me to continue representing their conservative values in the U.S. Senate.”
In the Maryland Senate race , the Fox News Decision Desk can now project that Democratic county executive Angela Alsobrooks will defeat former Republican Governor Larry Hogan.
Alsobrooks will succeed Democratic Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring this year after serving nearly two decades in the Senate and nearly six decades as a state and then federal lawmaker.
A former prosecutor and ally of Vice President Kamala Harris, Alsobrooks will make history as Maryland’s first Black senator, in a state where the Black population stands at around a third of the state's total.
The Fox News Decision Desk can now project that Texas Senator Ted Cruz will win a third term.
He defeats Democratic congressman Colin Allred.
Allred received support from a handful of Republicans including former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill.
Democrats poured massive amounts of money into the race.
{{#rendered}}The Fox News Decision Desk says it’s too early to call Wisconsin, where incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin appears to be in a close race with Republican banker Eric Hovde.
Michigan’s senate race is also too early to call. Former GOP congressman Mike Rogers is up against current Democratic House Rep. Elissa Slotkin.
In Arizona, Democratic House Rep Ruben Gallego has a lead on Republican candidate Kari Lake. It’s also too early to call.
Nebraska has two senate races on the ballot today, and the race between Republican incumbent Deb Fischer and independent Dan Osborn appears to be close. That’s too early to call according to our decision desk.
But Fox News can project that Republican Pete Ricketts will continue to serve as a Nebraska senator.
In Texas, two-term Senator Ted Cruz is locked in a close race against current Democratic congressman Colin Allred. It’s too early to call.
The Fox News Decision Desk can project that Minnesota’s Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar will sail to a fourth term.
New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand will win another term in the Empire State.
And Democrats will hold on to their seat in New Mexico, where Senator Martin Heinrich defeats Republican Nella Domenici.
North Dakota’s GOP Senator Kevin Cramer will easily win a second term.
And in Wyoming, Senator John Barrasso will also win re-election. He serves as Chair of the Senate Republican Conference.
The Associated Press has projected that Republican Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar will win her re-elect bid in Florida’s Miami-Dade Congressional District.
AP called the race with 88 percent of the vote having been counted.
Salazar won 60.3 percent of the vote with 177,701 votes, defeating her Democratic challenger Lucia Baez Geller who garnered 39.7 percent with 116,899 votes.
Salazar responded to the news by thanking her supporters and pledging to “continue to be your voice, fighting for you.”
“We have a lot of work to do: fix the economy, reform immigration & fight socialism at home & abroad,” said Salazar.
This will be Salazar’s third term in Congress.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was unexpectedly in his Senate office on Capitol Hill tonight.
He was there with his wife, former Transportation and Labor Secretary Elaine Chao.
McConnell said he didn’t have any insight on what was going to happen tonight.
He also said he may put out a statement on things tomorrow.
McConnell is stepping down at the end of this Congress as GOP Leader – the longest-serving party leader in Senate history.
He is not endorsing in the race to succeed him
{{#rendered}}Fox News can project that Rick Scott, the Republican Senator from Florida, will win his second term.
In Maryland, It’s too early to call the race between Democratic county executive Angela Alsobrooks and former Republican Governor Larry Hogan. Alsobrooks has a lead in our Fox News Voter Analysis.
It’s too early to call Missouri’s senate race between Republican Senator Josh Hawley and Democratic attorney Lucas Kunce.
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn will win in Tennessee, another reliably conservative state.
In Mississippi, longtime GOP Senator Roger Wicker will take home another victory.
The Fox News Decision Desk can project that in Massachusetts, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren will win her third term.
Connecticut’s Democratic Senator Chris Murphy will also win a third term.
There isn’t enough data to project the Maine senate race yet.
In New Jersey, current Democratic House Rep. Andy Kim will win his Senate race, putting him in the upper chamber for the first time.
In Delaware, Democratic House Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester will win her first Senate race.
And Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse will win a fourth term.
In Pennsylvania, home to a razor-thin Senate race between incumbent Democrat Bob Casey and Republican businessman Dave McCormick. The Fox News Decision Desk says it’s too early to call.
Club for Growth PAC, a top conservative group, congratulated Rep. Anna Paulina Luna on her victory in Florida’s 13th Congressional District race. Luna successfully defended her seat against challenger Whitney Fox.
"Rep. Anna Paulina Luna’s commitment to economic liberty and her steadfast support of conservative principles have made her a standout advocate for Floridians,” said Club for Growth PAC President David McIntosh.
“Rep. Luna has shown her willingness to fight for fiscal responsibility and individual freedoms in Washington. Club for Growth PAC is excited to see her continue to lead in the next Congress,” McIntosh said.
Club for Growth Action and its allied Super PACs invested nearly $700,000 into the race and Club for Growth PAC members contributed $93,241 directly to the Luna campaign.
NRSC Chair Steve Daines congratulated Gov. Jim Justice on securing a senate win for West Virginia Tuesday night.
“Congratulations to Governor Jim Justice on officially becoming West Virginia’s next United States Senator," he said. "Jim served the people of West Virginia well as their governor, lowering taxes and creating opportunity in all parts of the state.
"I know he will continue to do the same in the Senate, and we are looking forward to having Big Jim and Baby Dog in D.C.," Daines said.
{{#rendered}}Fox News can project that Jim Justice will flip a Senate seat to Republican in deep red West Virginia.
He bested Democrat Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliot.
Justice, a billionaire, replaces retiring Independent Joe Manchin who was a former Democrat.
The win puts the GOP one seat away from an outright majority, assuming they don’t lose any seats they already hold.
The Fox News Decision Desk says it’s too early to call another Republican target, Ohio, where incumbent Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown is fighting for a fourth term against Republican businessman Bernie Moreno.
Indiana Republican Rep. Jim Banks told Fox News he is "grateful for the support" as he prepares to enter the upper chamber after securing his first Senate win.
"I am grateful for the support of my family and the support I’ve had from Hoosiers across the state. I owe this victory to all who contributed to it," he told Fox News.
“Only in America can a kid like me, who grew up in a trailer park in Columbia City and was the first in my family to go to college, go on to become a United States Senator ," Banks said. "As your next Senator, I will fight every day to protect that American dream for the next generation.
“We need true conservative fighters in Washington who are not afraid to cut reckless spending and fight to secure our border and end the Democrats’ border crisis. I got in this race to champion working Hoosier families and put Indiana first, and that’s what I plan to do on day one in the United States Senate," he added.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to fight for the things that matter most to Hoosiers.”
NRSC Chair Steve Daines released the following statement regarding the results of the Indiana Senate election after Congressman Jim Banks secured his first Senate win:
“Congratulations to Jim Banks on his incredible journey from humble beginnings in small town Indiana to the United States Senate. Jim is an America First patriot who will serve the state of Indiana well.”
{{#rendered}}The Fox News Decision Desk can project that Indiana Republican congressman Jim Banks will win his first Senate race.
In Virginia, it’s too early to call the race between incumbent Democratic senator Tim Kaine and his Republican challenger, Hung Cao.
Longtime independent Senator Bernie Sanders will win a fourth term in Vermont. He caucuses with the Democrats
Control of Congress has been split between the two major parties over the last two years.
Republicans have held the majority in the House of Representatives by a fluctuating margin that never exceeded 10 votes.
Currently, there are 220 Republicans in the House, compared to 212 Democrats, and it is led by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
Meanwhile, Democrats have controlled the Senate, also by a razor-thin margin. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., leads 51 Democratic senators, while Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., leads 49.
While the makeup of the 119th Congress is yet to be seen, it’s likely whoever wins will be governing over similarly slim majorities.
It’s led to gridlock at times in both chambers during this term. The most glaring examples have been in the House, where just eight House Republicans were able to join all Democrats to vote to topple the sitting House speaker, former Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for the first time in history late last year.
While the lion’s share of attention will be paid to the presidential race on Tuesday night, the 500-plus elections across the country deciding control of Congress will also be critical to deciding the nation’s future.
These elections will be key in particular to how well – or poorly – the new president’s first 100 days will go.
Republicans have signaled they will move fast on government funding and replacing expiring conservative tax code provisions if they win control of Congress and the White House.
Meanwhile, Democrats have said that securing voting rights on a federal level would be a priority if they held the levers of power in Washington.
But that enthusiasm will easily be derailed if D.C. welcomes another divided government to town.
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., famously used her influence in leadership to help precipitate the first and second impeachments of former President Donald Trump.
And as the current House majority, Republicans have worked to repeal or block a litany of President Biden’s progressive policies.
{{#rendered}}There are a number of competitive Senate races to watch on Election Day as Republicans hope to take power of the upper chamber, and as Democrats hope to hang on to their slim majority.
But with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., who is seen as an independent, West Virginia will likely flip to Republicans on Election Day.
Races that could decide the balance of power are in key battleground states: Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Nevada.
In Pennsylvania, incumbent Democrat Sen. Bob Casey is running against Republican businessman Dave McCormick. Casey has been spending Democrat donor dollars on ads seemingly tying himself to former President Donald Trump – without ever mentioning Harris’ name. One ad showed how he “bucked Biden” and “sided with” Trump while painting himself as an “independent.” The ad features a Republican woman and her Democrat husband.
Similar ads are running in other critical races, like Wisconsin, where incumbent Democrat Sen. Tammy Baldwin is running against Republican challenger Eric Hovde. Her ad shows Trump signing into law legislation that Baldwin sponsored while Trump was in office.
Meanwhile, Michigan is a tight race, with Democrat Rep. Elissa Slotkin running against Republican former Rep. Mike Rogers. Retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow endorsed Slotkin, who currently represents Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. Rogers served in the House from 2001 to 2015 and served as the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. He’s been endorsed by Trump.
And in battleground Nevada, Republican Ret. Army Capt. Sam Brown is closing in on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen.
In Arizona, GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake is running against Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego, as they attempt to win the seat currently held by moderate Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who announced her retirement in March.
And in Ohio, Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown is in a tight race against GOP businessman Bernie Moreno.
In Montana, Democrat Sen. John Tester is in a tight race, as he tries to distance himself from Vice President Kamala Harris. Tester is running against Republican Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL.
The election on Nov. 5 will decide the presidency and control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
There are 435 races that will decide control of the House of Representatives, but it is likely that control of the House will come down to just several key races. The House is currently controlled by Republicans, and the GOP is hoping to pick up additional seats.
One is New York’s 17th Congressional District, where freshman Rep. Mike Lawler is running against former Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones. The district is among several that President Biden won in 2020, and Democrats are hoping to turn it blue once again.
Another is Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Eugene Vindman and Republican Derrick Anderson are facing off. The seat is being vacated by Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who is running for governor.
Another key race is Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. The seat is being vacated by Democrat Rep. Dan Kildee. Democrat state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Republican former Trump administration official Paul Junge are facing off in that race.
Other competitive races include Maryland’s 6th, which some see as a GOP pickup opportunity, with April Delany running as a Democrat and former state Del.Neil Parrott running as a Republican.
Alaska, at large, is expecting a Republican victory, where its lone seat will be decided using ranked-choice voting.
Meanwhile, in the Senate, Republicans are hoping to take back the majority.
Democrats currently hold the majority with 51 seats in the Senate.
But with the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.V., who is seen as an independent, West Virginia will likely flip to Republicans on Election Day.
In Ohio, Democrat Sen. Sherrod Brown is in a tight race against GOP businessman Bernie Moreno.
In Montana, Democrat Sen. John Tester is in a tight race as he tries to distance himself from Vice President Kamala Harris.
Democrats have a number of other vulnerable seats in key battleground states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Nevada.
And some of those candidates have aired ads leading up to voting day that tie the incumbent senators to Trump – without mentioning Harris at all.
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