2020 Senate results: Where things stand in the battleground states

The skyline is seen at dawn in Washington on the morning after Election Day, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. From left are the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the U.S. Capitol. | J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press

Democrat Mark Kelly is projected to flip U.S. Senate seat in Arizona while Republican incumbent Sens. Steve Daines and Susan Collins win reelections in Montana and Maine.

Ballots are still being counted in key battleground states to determine if Republicans will be able to hold on to their majority in the Senate.

On Wednesday, races in Michigan, North Carolina and Georgia were still being counted and too close to call. Republicans entered Election Day with a with a narrow 53-47 majority in the Senate and Democrats were hopeful they could win at least four additional seats to take control of the chamber they lost in 2014.

Of the Senate’s 100 total seats, 35 were up for grabs this year, but less than half of those races were expected to be closely contested. As of early Wednesday afternoon, Democrats had won two formerly GOP seats — Colorado and Arizona — and Republicans had turned Alabama red.

GOP incumbents have held on to battleground races in Maine, Iowa, Kansas and Texas while Senate Democrats defended their seat in New Hampshire.

To the people of Maine — THANK YOU. I will continue serving YOU with all of my heart.#mepolitics pic.twitter.com/Q4j4YcdhE6

— Susan Collins for Senator (@SenSusanCollins) November 4, 2020

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is project to win reelection, The Associated Press reported Wednesday afternoon. This is her fourth reelection to the Senate. Holding on to the seat was considered an important victory for Republicans trying to maintain their majority and a major setback for Democrats.

“While this election may be over, we can’t afford to stop organizing. So let’s get some rest, and then get back to work,” Democratic challenger Sara Gideon wrote on Twitter.

Collins will become the longest-serving female Republican senator and the first Maine senator elected to a fifth term, The New York Times reported.

North Carolina Republican Sen. Tom Tillis was holding a small lead over Democrat Cal Cunningham on Wednesday afternoon. With an estimated 94% of the ballots tabulated, the incumbent led 48.7 to 46.9, according to the Times.

In Michigan, Democratic Sen. Gary Peters was trailing Republican contender John James by less than a point with an estimated 95% of the votes counted, The Washington Post reported

In Arizona, Mark Kelly — a NASA astronaut and husband to former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords — is projected to defeat Republican Sen. Martha McSally, who was appointed to her seat in 2019, the AP, The New York Times and Fox News reported.

“The work starts now. And we desperately need Washington to work for Arizona,” Kelly said in a victory speech overnight, the AP reported. “My top priority is making sure we have a plan to slow the spread of this virus, and then getting Arizona the resources our state needs right now.”

For the first time in nearly 70 years, Arizona will send a pair of Democratic senators — Kelly and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema —to Capitol Hill in January, reported the AP.

.@GabbyGiffords and I want to thank all of you for your hard work and support over the last 630 days. This mission wouldn’t have been possible without you. #FullSpeedAhead pic.twitter.com/mGu5i88pI5

— Captain Mark Kelly (@CaptMarkKelly) November 4, 2020

Republicans did defend their seat in Montana.

Incumbent Sen. Steve Daines held on to his seat against Democratic Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, according to the AP.

“Congratulations to Senator Daines on his victory tonight,” the governor’s campaign said in a statement, conceding the race. Bullock went on to thank volunteers, family and Montanans.

Thank you, Montana. The last six years have been the honor of my life - cheers to six more! pic.twitter.com/i7Ks3NNbRV

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) November 4, 2020

The senator — a former U.S. congressman — was first elected to the Senate in 2014.

“Thank you, Montana. The last six years have been the honor of my life — cheers to six more!,” Daines wrote on Twitter.

The fight between Daines and Bullock set spending records in the state, Fox News reported, as parties and political groups spent $150 million dollars battling for the seat.

In Georgia, at least one — if not both — Senate race is headed to a runoff election in January, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, because none of the candidates in captured a majority.

Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler — recently appointed to her seat — will face Democratic challenger Raphael Warnock on a Jan. 5 runoff.

As of Wednesday morning, no media outlets were ready to call the other Georgia race between incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue and Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff, with ballots still being counted.

I’m honored to be re-elected as your U.S. Senator. You showed how we organize, how we talk to voters, how we get out the vote. You made tonight happen. Now, the real work is ahead of us. Let’s keep fighting together. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/jREMCy4ehw

— Tina Smith (@TinaSmithMN) November 4, 2020

Democratic Sen. Tina Smith is projected to defend her seat in Minnesota, the Times, Fox News and The Washington Post reported. Smith — who was appointed in 2017 and won a 2018 special election — is on her way to defeating President Donald Trump-endorsed GOP challenger Jason Lewis, according to the AP.

“From the beginning, this campaign has been about what we can do to work together, find common ground, and get results for the good of Minnesota and our country,” Smith said in a statement, the AP reported.

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