CBS News projects that Jon Ossoff defeated incumbent Senator David Perdue in the second round of the Senate in Georgia on Tuesday, handing Democrats control of the Senate in a dramatic shift that unbalances Washington’s balance of power. Previously, Democrat Raphael Warnock was also designed to win another state runoff election against Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler.
Ossoff and Warnock’s victories ensure that Democrats will have a 50-50 majority in the Senate, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris breaking any ties. This will make it easier for President-elect Joe Biden to implement his legislative priorities and have his cabinet nominees confirmed quickly and smoothly.
The news came amid a chaotic and violent day in Washington, when supporters of President Trump invaded the United States Capitol, forcing Congress to go into recess while they counted the votes of the Electoral College.
“I am very grateful to the people of Georgia,” Warnock, who will be the first black senator elected by Georgia, said Wednesday in “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 the 12 children in my family, I am the first graduate in college. That I am serving in the United States Senate in a few days is against current of so many expectations. But this is America. “
Warnock, the pastor of the Atlanta church that was once led by Martin Luther King Jr., is only the second black senator elected by the South since Reconstruction.
Ossoff declared victory on Wednesday morning. Although he defeated Perdue by a smaller margin than Warnock defeated Loeffler, Georgia’s top election official said on Wednesday that he thought it would be more than 0.5% needed to avoid a recount.
“I want to thank the people of Georgia for participating in this election, everyone who voted, everyone who put their faith and trust in our democracy’s ability to offer the representation we deserve, whether you are for me or against me, I will be for you in the United States Senate. I will serve all people in the state, “said Ossoff.