Fight For The Senate: Republicans Take Control, Adding 7 Seats

November 04, 2014 9:00 PM ET

Bill Chappell

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Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell arrives at his midterm election night rally with his wife, former U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, in Louisville. McConnell, who won re-election, stands to become the next Senate majority leader.

Shannon Stapleton/Reuters /Landov

With a loss by Sen. Mark Pryor, the first Democratic incumbent fell in the 2014 midterms, setting off a chain of events that brought the Republicans a new Senate majority. The man who would lead them in Congress won re-election, as Sen. Mitch McConnell coasted to a win in Kentucky.
McConnell was projected to defeat Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes by a 15-point margin, 56 percent to 41 percent, with almost a third of the vote tallied.
In Arkansas, Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor was projected to lose to Republican Rep. Tom Cotton, a first-term member of Congress. Pryor had served in the Senate since 2003.
We'll be updating this post with news and results from races around the nation, focusing on races that might change the balance of power in Congress. You can also follow our special coverage at NPR's Election Party.
Update at 11:40 p.m. ET: Ernst Wins, Giving GOP 7 Seats
Republican Joni Ernst has won a Senate seat in Iowa, beating out Democrat Rep. Bruce Braley to take the seat being vacated by Sen. Tom Harkin.
Update at 11:26 p.m. ET: GOP Takes Control With Tillis Win
With the projected victory of Thom Tillis wins in North Carolina, the Republicans have now gained six Senate seats, giving them control of both chambers of Congress. Tillis, the current state House Speaker, defeated incumbent Democrat Sen. Kay Hagan.
Update at 11:20 p.m. ET: Roberts Defeats Orman In Kansas
Incumbent Republican Sen. Pat Roberts has beaten independent candidate Greg Orman, NPR projects. It would be the fourth term for Roberts.
In Georgia, Michelle Nunn has conceded the race for the seat vacated by Republican Saxby Chambliss, as the GOP's David Perdue takes the win.
Update at 10:20 p.m. ET: Gardner Wins In Colorado
Republican Cory Gardner has defeated incumbent Sen. Mark Udall, giving the GOP five seats so far in the midterms.
Update at 10 p.m. ET: Runoff For Landrieu; Daines Wins
Republican Steve Daines has won the Senate race in Montana, NPR projects, a victory that means the GOP has picked up four seats so far. Daines defeated state Rep. Amanda Curtis, taking over the seat vacated by Democrat Sen. John Walsh.
The Louisiana Senate race between Democrat Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy will head to a runoff in December, NPR projects. She will not be favored in that head-to-head race, Five Thirty Eight reports.
Update at 9:15 p.m. ET: Rounds And Shaheen Win; More Results
The GOP scored a big win in South Dakota, where Mike Rounds is projected to beat Rick Weiland, taking the seat that's being vacated by Democrat Tim Johnson.
In New Hampshire, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has been re-elected, defeating former Massachusetts Sen. Scott Brown.
Republican Sen. Mike Enzi has been re-elected in Wyoming, NPR projects.
Republicans John Cornyn and Gary Peters have also won, in Texas and Michigan, respectively.