Republican lawmakers are currently in the midst of a leadership election to determine the majority leader in the newly GOP-controlled Senate. The election, set to take place on Wednesday, will involve a secret ballot system, allowing senators to cast their votes anonymously.
Florida Sen. Rick Scott, considered a long-shot candidate, has been garnering support from a faction of conservative senators and influential figures within the MAGA movement. However, Scott remains an underdog in the race, with GOP Whip John Thune of South Dakota and Sen. John Cornyn of Texas emerging as the favored contenders.
In a significant development, sources have projected that Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego is poised to secure victory in the closely watched Arizona Senate race. Gallego is expected to defeat Republican Kari Lake, becoming the first Hispanic senator from the state. He will be succeeding retiring independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who was formerly a Democrat and continues to caucus with her former party.
For Republicans, winning the majority in the US Senate marks a significant achievement, as they have been in the minority since 2021. With one Senate race in Pennsylvania still pending, Republicans are set to hold at least 52 seats in the chamber.
Meanwhile, the outcome of House races remains uncertain, with votes still being tallied. There are currently 14 House races that have not been projected, leaving the control of the lower chamber of Congress up in the air. Republicans are just three seats away from retaining the majority in the House, while Democrats are 12 seats shy of seizing control.
