KEY POINTS

  • Republicans look to keep majority in the Senate
  • The GOP may have increased their chances after confirming Judge Barrett
  • Democrats would need to flip four seats to gain control of the Senate

A Democrat lawmaker on Wednesday admitted that the party "severely" miscalculated their chances of winning the Senate as Republicans continue to cling to the majority.

GOP candidates won in Iowa, Montana and South Carolina. They also secured a massive lead in Kansas and Texas, while holding on to a narrow lead in Georgia, Maine and North Carolina.

Many Democrats initially thought Trump's lack of response to the coronavirus pandemic would convince voters to flip. However, their miscalculations limited their chances of winning the Senate majority, CNN reported.

Before Election Day, Democrats boasted that they had expanded their influence into traditionally conservative territories, including Montana, Kansas and South Carolina. However, the states' Republican candidates had easily beaten their liberal challengers.

"We severely miscalculated," a Democratic lawmaker told CNN.

Republicans may have increased their chances by confirming Judge Amy Coney Barret to the Supereme Court. Also giving the GOP a boost in the race was a North Carolina Senate Democratic challenger's alleged involvement in a sex scandal.

"Overall we had a better election than most people thought across the country," Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a press conference.

The GOP is on track to retain control of the Senate majority after netting a number of seats in a tough race. The Republicans currently have a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and the Democrats could only gain control if they can flip four seats. However, election projections see the GOP keeping a narrow 48-46 lead when all is said and done.

McConnell, who was reelected for the seventh term, said the outcome of the key Senate races might take a few days more before they are decided.

"What we're going to see here in the next few days, both in the Senate races and in the presidential race, is each state will ultimately get to a final outcome. And you should not be shocked that both sides are going to have lawyers there," McConnell said.

A GOP-held Senate would pose some challenges for the Biden administration should he win against President Donald Trump. Republicans would likely block critical legislation, which may include expanding access to healthcare, Reuters reported.

Voting machines
Voting machines are shown at a polling location on June 9, 2020 in West Columbia, South Carolina. Georgia, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia hold primaries today. Sean Rayford/Getty Images