AP projects: Jon Ossoff defeats David Perdue in Georgia Senate runoff

Democrats clinch US Senate majority

Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate from Georgia Jon Ossoff speaks after voting early in Atlanta on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. For the second time in three years, Jon Ossoff is campaigning in overtime. The question is whether the 33-year-old Democrat can deliver a win in a crucial Jan. 5 runoff with Republican Sen. David Perdue. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) (John Bazemore, Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The Associated Press is projecting that Democrat Jon Ossoff has won one of Georgia’s two runoff Senate races.

As of 4:16 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, AP is calling Georgia’s Senate race in favor of Ossoff.

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Ossof was pitted against Republican David Perdue, a 71-year-old former business executive whose congressional term expired Sunday. Ossoff, a former congressional aide and journalist, would be the Senate’s youngest member at 33 years old.

In a race that was too close to call for most of Wednesday, Ossoff appears to have narrowly defeated Perdue by about 25,000 votes.

Democrats had to win both of the Georgia’s Senate elections to gain the Senate majority. In such a scenario, the Senate would be equally divided 50-50 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as the tie-breaker for Democrats.

Final Georgia Senate race results:

U.S. Senate: Jon Ossoff vs. David Perdue

Documentary filmmaker challenging incumbent senator for a six-year term.

Candidate

Votes

%

Jon Ossoff

Jon Ossoff(D)

2,269,73851%
David Perdue

David Perdue(R)

2,214,50649%
100% of Precincts Reporting

(2,656 / 2,656)

Earlier Wednesday, Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock was declared the winner in Georgia’s other Senate runoff race against Republican incumbent Kelly Loeffler.

More: ‘Only in America’: Warnock’s rise from poverty to US senator

Related: Biden promises bipartisan leadership as US Senate clinches Democratic majority


About the Author
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Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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