Topline
Former NASA astronaut Mark Kelly defeated Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) on Tuesday, the Associated Press projects, handing Democrats their second Senate pickup of the night.
Key Facts
As of early Wednesday morning, McSally has refused to concede, but multiple outlets have projected a Kelly win.
The projected victory gives Democrats the second of the four seats they need to win back a clear majority in the Senate, though a projected loss in Alabama’s Senate race for Sen. Doug Jones (D-Ala.) on Tuesday means they will still need to flip three more seats.
In Colorado, former governor and 2020 Democratic presidential candidate John Hickenlooper beat Republican Sen. Cory Gardner earlier Tuesday, the Associated Press projected, giving Democrats their first Senate pickup.
McSally first ran for Senate in Arizona in 2018 but lost to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), a sign the state was trending blue after President Trump carried it in 2016.
Gov. Doug Ducey (R-Ariz.) subsequently appointed McSally to Arizona’s other Senate seat after former Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl stepped down.
What To Watch For
It’s still unclear which party will claim control of the Senate. Key races in Alabama, Colorado and Arizona have been called, but other races in Maine, North Carolina, Georgia, Iowa, Montana and Michigan are still up in the air. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) held off a challenge from Democratic candidate Jaime Harrison, the Associated Press projected Tuesday.
Surprising Fact
Kelly’s wife is former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who became a fierce gun control advocate following an assassination attempt that left her brain injured.
Tangent
Joe Biden won the state of Arizona, the Associated Press projected Tuesday.
Further Reading
Senate Election Results 2020: Hickenlooper Gives Democrats First Pickup, But Jones, Bullock Lose (Forbes)
