PoliticoJon Ossoff scores victory over David Perdue in Georgia Senate run-off
- The win clinches control of the chamber for the Democratic Party and has huge implications for Joe Biden’s presidency
- Ossoff has won 50.3 per cent of the vote to Perdue’s 49.7 per cent, with 98 per cent of precincts reporting
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Democrats gain majority in US Senate as Ossoff and Warnock win run-off in state of Georgia
This story is published in a content partnership with POLITICO. It was originally reported by Quint Forgey on politico.com on January 6, 2021.
Democrat Jon Ossoff has defeated Republican David Perdue in the remaining Georgia Senate race – clinching control of the chamber for his party after fellow Democrat Raphael Warnock triumphed in the state’s other run-off election.
Ossoff, an investigative journalist and former congressional candidate, had 50.3 per cent of the vote to Perdue’s 49.7 per cent when Associated Press called the race on Wednesday, with 98 per cent of precincts reporting.
Ossoff’s victory resets the Senate’s balance of power at 50-50 and comes after Warnock vanquished incumbent Republican Senator Kelly Loeffler earlier on Wednesday, securing a Democratic majority for the first time since 2014 due to Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris’ ability to cast tiebreaking votes in the chamber.
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US Democrat Jon Ossoff declares victory with Georgia run-off race uncalled
The Democrats’ twin victories in Georgia have huge implications for President-elect Joe Biden’s legislative agenda, as he will not be forced to navigate a Republican Senate and negotiate with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell during the opening years of his administration.