Midterms 2022: Mark Kelly Declared Arizona Senate Seat Winner; Democrats One Seat Away From Upper Chamber Control, Nevada Still Undecided
12.11.2022 - 07:37
/ deadline.com
Mark Kelly has been elected to a full six-year term in the U.S. Senate for the state of Arizona. The incumbent’s close victory puts the Democrats one vital step closer to continuing to control the upper chamber.
Three days after the midterm elections, CNN, NNC and others declared the former astronaut, who was elected to the Senate in a special 2020 election, was on a solid trajectory to beat Republican challenger Blake Masters in the former home of John McCain. The race for Arizona governor is still too close to call, but Democrat Adrian Fontes has now been declared the winner for the state’s pivotal Secretary of State position over self-described Oath Keeper Mark Finchem.
Kelly’s seat was widely seen among the most vulnerable among all Democratic incumbents.
Thank you, Arizona. pic.twitter.com/MKmCOGqsZx
“It’s a disaster, it’s a giant mess to try to unmix these ballots,” GOP candidate Masters told Fox News’ Tucker Carlson tonight of the tide turning to Kelly, and some minor irregularities and tabulations in Maricopa County. Sowing more doubt on the vote in Arizona, the Republican National Committee claimed there were “deep flaws” in the vote counting in Maricopa County:
“Arizona deserves better — transparency, certainty, efficiency — and most importantly, an accurate and prompt announcement of election results that can be accepted by all voters.”— @pnjaban pic.twitter.com/XUbSM073RP
Of course, votes are still being counted in Nevada, where Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Republican Adam Laxalt are in a near dead heat. Laxalt right now is in the lead with 55,000 votes remaining to be counted, and less than 900 votes separating the two
If Cortez Masto wins, Democrats will have at least 50 seats, as they have had