CBS News projects that Democrat Raphael Warnock defeated Senator Kelly Loeffler in the second round of the Senate on Tuesday in Georgia, making history as the first black senator from the state of Peach. The other dispute between current Republican Senator David Perdue and Democrat Jon Ossoff remains very close, but Ossoff had a slight advantage over his Republican opponent on Wednesday morning.
If Perdue wins a race, Republicans will retain control of the Senate. But if Democrats win both seats, there will be a 50-50 tie with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Senate President, as a tiebreaker vote.
“I am very grateful to the people of Georgia,” Warnock said on 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 the 12 children in my family, I am the first graduate. That I am serving in the United States Senate in a few days goes against the nature of so many expectations. But this is America. “
Warnock and Loeffler spoke to their supporters on Tuesday. Warnock declared victory, but Loeffler had not yet conceded.
“We were told we couldn’t win this election,” said Warnock. “But tonight we prove with hope, hard work and the people at our side, everything is possible. May my story be an inspiration for some young man who is trying to grab and grab the American dream.”
Loeffler, however, insisted “this is a game of centimeters” and promised to fight.
Participation broke records, with more than 4.5 million votes counted early Wednesday.