Republican Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) has won re-election to a third term in Wisconsin, NBC News is projecting.
Johnson, a close ally of President Donald Trump, secured a victory against Democrat challenger Mandela Barnes in a tight race.
Johnson’s seat is a must-win for the GOP if the party wants to win back control of the Senate.
Before the media called the close race, Johnson said: “The corporate media is refusing to call a race that is over.
“The votes are in in all Democrat strongholds, municipalities are reporting 100% of wards are in and counted.
“There are some counties that have anywhere from 3-10% of the votes outstanding.
“These localities represent areas where we are winning by over 60%.
“There is no path mathematically for Lt. Gov. Barnes to overcome his 27,374 vote deficit.
“This race is over.
“Truth has prevailed over lies and the politics of personal destruction.
“I want to thank my family and everyone who supported me and worked so hard to save this U.S. Senate seat.
“I will do everything I can to help make things better for Wisconsinites and to heal and unify our country.”
I want to thank my family and everyone who supported me and worked so hard to save this U.S. Senate seat.
I will do everything I can to help make things better for Wisconsinites and to heal and unify our country.
— Ron Johnson (@RonJohnsonWI) November 9, 2022
With 98.91% of the vote in, Johnson had 50.5% of the vote to 49.5% for Barnes, a difference of about 27,000 votes.
Barnes campaign spokeswoman Maddy McDaniel said earlier: “We always knew this race would be incredibly close.
“No matter what anyone says, we are committed to making sure every vote is counted.
“We will wait and see what the Wisconsin voters have decided after all their voices are heard.”
These localities represent areas where we are winning by over 60%.
There is no path mathematically for Lt. Gov. Barnes to overcome his 27,374 vote deficit. This race is over.
Truth has prevailed over lies and the politics of personal destruction.
— Ron Johnson (@RonJohnsonWI) November 9, 2022
I want to thank my family and everyone who supported me and worked so hard to save this U.S. Senate seat.
I will do everything I can to help make things better for Wisconsinites and to heal and unify our country.
— Ron Johnson (@RonJohnsonWI) November 9, 2022
