Democrats may have defied odds and midterm history, with distinct paths to hang onto their narrow majority even as several key races are still outstanding. But from early on Tuesday night, it was clear that any Republican hopes of sweeping the board had dissipated.

Overall, Republicans had been gifted all the makings of a Senate majority — midterm history was on their side, President Biden's approval ratings were abysmal and they only had to flip one seat. Instead, the GOP has to nearly run the table in the remaining outstanding races — and a potential Georgia runoff — if they want even a one-seat majority.

GOP Optimism Wanes As Dems Hold

Gone is GOP optimism in the closing weeks (and hand-wringing by some Democrats privately) that they could end up with a two or even three-seat majority. Republicans will be lucky to net one seat. It's now not just feasible that Democrats could keep their 50-50 majority, but they could add one seat now that they've flipped control of Pennsylvania. Republicans must now win two of the remaining three

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