Kelly win in Arizona puts Dems 1 seat from Senate control

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., waves supporters goodnight during an election night event in Tucson, Ariz., Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. (AP Photo/Alberto Mariani)

Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona has won a second term, beating GOP challenger Blake Masters.

In a race called by the Associated Press, Kelly was up more than 5 percentage points over Masters. The former NASA astronaut was first elected to the Senate in 2020 during a special election following the death of Sen. John McCain.

The seat is one the Democrats needed to keep for greater control of the Senate, which has been split 50-50 with Vice President Harris breaking tie votes in the Democrats’ favor.

Kelly has appealed to Arizona moderates and independents. Arizona Democrats made advances in federal-level races in 2020 when President Biden pulled support, along with Kelly winning in the special election.

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