Kaine win gives Democrats 50 seats in Senate

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Tim Kaine has won the Virginia Senate race, holding off a challenge from Republican George Allen. His win gives Democrats 50 seats and puts them on the precipice of retaining control of the Senate.

Kaine’s win comes after Democrats won two Senate seats held by Republicans. Democratic Rep. Joe Donnelly won a seat the GOP had held for decades in Indiana, beating back a challenge from tea party favorite Richard Mourdock. Elizabeth Warren won a Senate seat held by GOP Sen. Scott Brown. Republicans also lost a seat to independent Angus King in Maine, a former Democratic governor whom GOP supporters had targeted.

As of 11 p.m. Democrats had locked up 50 seats, including independent Bernie Sanders, enough to maintain control if President Barack Obama wins re-election.