ATLANTA — The Associated Press has projected that Democrats Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff have swept the Georgia Senate races
Warnock defeated Republican incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler. Ossoff beat Sen. David Perdue.
>> Visit WSBTV.com for live updates on the Georgia Senate runoff elections
BREAKING: Democrats sweep Georgia Senate races, giving the party control of both houses of Congress and making it easier for Joe Biden to enact his agenda as president. #APracecall https://t.co/N8hoiVdNjJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) January 6, 2021
BREAKING: Democrat Raphael Warnock wins election to U.S. Senate from Georgia, beating incumbent Sen. Kelly Loeffler. #APracecall at 2:00 a.m. EST. #GAelection https://t.co/lGfinjTqT4
— AP Politics (@AP_Politics) January 6, 2021
The runoff between Republican Perdue and Democrat Ossoff had been too close to call early Wednesday as election officials continued to count votes in key precincts, Atlanta’s WSB-TV reported.
The results of the two elections determined which political party controls the U.S. Senate. Now that the election has been called, the Democrats have regained control of both houses of Congress.
Warnock addressed voters by video shortly after midnight in what appeared to be a victory speech, according to WSB-TV.
“We were told that we couldn’t win this election, but tonight, we proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible,” Warnock said. “May my story be an inspiration to some young person who is trying to grasp and grab hold to the American dream.”
LIVE: Reverend Warnock Addresses Supporters on Election Night https://t.co/3AjHzC35qy
— Senator-Elect Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) January 6, 2021
Loeffler, however, told supporters early Wednesday that she still has a path to victory, WSB-TV reported.
Sen. Kelly Loeffler addressing supporters. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/rRlgvXoS5o
— Dave Huddleston (@DaveHWSB) January 6, 2021
Ossoff also appeared to declare victory in a livestream at 8 a.m. Wednesday prior to his being declared a winner.
“It is with humility that I thank the people of Georgia for electing me to serve you in the United States Senate,” he said.
Ossoff’s address came hours after Perdue’s campaign issued the following statement:
“As we’ve said repeatedly over the last several weeks and as recently as this evening, this is an exceptionally close election that will require time and transparency to be certain the results are fair and accurate and the voices of Georgians are heard,” the statement said, according to WSB-TV. “We will mobilize every available resource and exhaust every legal recourse to ensure all legally cast ballots are properly counted. We believe in the end, Sen. Perdue will be victorious.”
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group