Democrats appear set to take control of the United States Senate in a stunning upset in Georgia where Tuesday’s run off races have resulted in at least one, and very likely two wins. Raphael Warnock has beaten GOP Senator Kelly Loeffler decisively in a historic win as he becomes the first ever Black Senator from the state of Georgia. On Tuesday night Warnock gave his victory speech remotely. His colleague Jon Ossoff also declared victory over incumbent Republican David Perdue on Wednesday morning although many media outlets were still waiting to make the official pronouncement. If the win is indeed official, Ossoff will become the youngest member of the U.S. Senate. With 98% of all votes counted he leads Perdue by 16,000 votes. He addressed voters in a videotaped speech focusing on tackling the coronavirus pandemic. With Ossoff and Warnock both heading to the U.S. Senate, the chamber will be split evenly between both major parties. However, because Democrats control the Presidency they too will win control of the Senate, wresting away the title of Senate Majority Leader from top Republican Mitch McConnell. The Senate’s current minority leader Chuck Schumer is set to take on the mantle of majority leader and Schumer declared triumphantly in a statement on Wednesday morning, “It feels like a brand new day…For the first time in six years, Democrats will operate a majority in the United States Senate — and that will be very good for the American people.”

Just a day after the momentous Georgia races, another election-related showdown awaits in Washington DC. In what would usually be an uncontroversial and ceremonial declaration of the newly elected President, outgoing White House occupant Donald Trump expects to make one last and desperate attempt to overthrow the will of voters. Members of Congress will certify the results of the electoral college votes but about a dozen Senators loyal to Trump have announced they will object. They are led by Senators Ted Cruz and Tommy Tuberville. It is Vice President Mike Pence’s task to oversee the certification. On Tuesday Trump made clear that he expects Pence to choose him over the U.S. Constitution, tweeting, “The Vice President has the power to reject fraudulently chosen electors.” In fact neither were electors fraudulently chosen, nor does Pence have the power to reject them and Mr. Pence appears to know it. In a letter to Congress he said he lacked the “unilateral authority” to reject electors. Even conservatives have now begun to label Trump’s efforts as a “coup.” Insiders speaking to the press say