WASHINGTON (AGENCIES) 

Republicans regained control of the Senate after winning two crucial races on Tuesday night, taking advantage of a favorable map that put Democrats on defense in a slew of red and purple states.

West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice won the Senate contest in his red state, turning the 51-49 Democratic Senate into an even 50-50. The seat had been held by Sen. Joe Manchin III, an independent who caucused with Democrats, for 14 years. And Republican car dealer Bernie Moreno bested Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) in Ohio, a state that voted for Trump by eight percentage points in 2020, according to the Associated Press, giving Republicans their 51st seat.

"We’re tired of being treated like second-class citizens in our own country,” Moreno told supporters in his victory speech. "We’re tired of leaders that think we’re garbage, and we’re tired of being treated like garbage.”

Control of the Senate will be vital for the next president’s ability to enact his or her agenda, as well as to staff their administration. Many crucial Cabinet and judicial appointments require Senate confirmation.

Republicans appeared to be in good shape to nab at least one other Democratic seat. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) has trailed Republican Tim Sheehy in many polls, suggesting that the farmer could lose his seat to the former Navy SEAL. And GOP candidates in three other "blue wall” states were running strong Tuesday night.

Democrats’ hopes of long-shot victories in red states to offset their losses were dimming as the night wore on. Rep. Colin Allred (D) conceded to Sen. Ted Cruz (R) in Texas, and Republican Sen. Rick Scott sailed to re-election in Florida. Independent candidate Dan Osborn trailed GOP Sen. Deb Fischer in Nebraska with most counties reported.

With these victories in hand, the question becomes whether Republicans can pad out their numbers past 52 seats, which would give them more room to manoeuvre. Moderate Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) would have outsize influence in a small GOP majority, but their power would be diluted if Republicans pick up Senate seats in the swing states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Arizona and Nevada.