Former astronaut Mark Kelly has defeated his Republican challenger in the Arizona Senate race, with just two seats up for grabs.
In a statement, Mr Kelly, 58, the sitting senator, said: “Thank you to the people of Arizona for re-electing me to the United States Senate.
“From day one, this campaign has been about the many Arizonans—Democrats, Independents, and Republicans—who believe in working together to address the important challenges we face.
“That is exactly what I have done in my first two years in office and what I will continue to do while I am there.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to be a senator from Arizona.
“I am humbled by the trust our state has placed in me to continue this work.”
Kelly is a former U.S. Navy captain and retired astronaut who made four trips to space, including missions delivering equipment, supplies and crew to the International Space Station.
His Republican challenger for the Arizona seat was Blake Masters, a 36-year-old venture capitalist.
Image: Mr. Kelly and his Republican challenger Blake Masters. Image: AP
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Kelly’s victory leaves the Senate tied at 49-49, with control hinged on contests in Nevada and Georgia.
Democrats need one more seat, as Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tie-breaking vote.
In Nevada, incumbent Democrat Catherine Cortez Masto is within 800 votes of Republican state Attorney General Adam Laxalt.
The result in Georgia could be weeks away, with Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock facing Republican Herschel Walker in a Dec. 6 runoff.
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In the fight for control of the House of Representatives, Republicans are close to taking the majority, a move that would end four years of Democratic rule.
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Republicans had at least 211 of the 218 seats they needed Thursday, according to Edison Research projections.
Democrats had won 199, with many of the races tied in Arizona, California and Washington state.
If Republicans cement a House victory, they could veto President Joe Biden’s agenda, severely limiting any progress he would have hoped to make between now and the 2024 election.