Cruz, Fischer Prevail as Republicans Win Senate Control; House in Doubt
Senate Commerce Committee ranking member Ted Cruz of Texas appears on course to take the panel's gavel next year, having prevailed Tuesday night in his reelection bid as Republicans won back control of the chamber. All major news organizations called the election for Cruz, who led Democratic Rep. Colin Allred Wednesday 53%-44% with 95% of votes counted.
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News organizations similarly declared Senate Commerce member Deb Fischer, R-Neb., the winner in her tight contest against independent candidate Dan Osborn. Fischer led Osborn Wednesday morning 54%-46% with 94% of votes counted. Four other Senate Commerce members also won reelection, including current Chair Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.; Consumer Protection Subcommittee ranking member Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.; and former panel Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss.
Senate Commerce member Jon Tester, D-Mont., lost his reelection bid against Republican businessman Tim Sheehy, who led in their contest Wednesday 53%-45% with 84% of votes counted. Two other Senate Commerce members' races were still uncalled as of Wednesday morning. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Republican challenger Eric Hovde were nearly tied at 49% each but with the incumbent holding an almost 29,000-vote lead. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., and Republican Sam Brown were also in a virtual tie, 47%-47%, but with the challenger leading by just under 1,200 votes after 88% of votes counted.
There was less clarity in the House, where the fight for control remained unresolved Wednesday morning. Three of five House Commerce Committee members considered vulnerable before the election had secured another term by Wednesday morning: Angie Craig, D-Minn.; John James, R-Mich.; and Darren Soto, D-Fla. House Appropriations Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee ranking member Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., lost his reelection bid to Republican Rob Bresnahan, who led 51%-49% Wednesday morning with 99% of votes counted.
News organizations had not called two other tight House Commerce contests. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, led Democratic challenger Christina Bohannan by just 413 votes with 98% of votes counted. Rep. Kim Schrier, D-Wash., led Republican Carmen Goers 54%-46% with 68% of votes counted. House Judiciary Committee member Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., also hadn't seen resolution Wednesday morning of his reelection bid against Democrat Jessica Morse. Kiley led Morse 58%-42% after 58% of votes counted.