Democrat Troy Jackson won the Maine Senate race. He defeated five-term Republican Senator Susan Collins.
The Associated Press called the race at 1:02 a.m. Eastern Time. Jackson held a seven-point lead with 75 percent of precincts reporting.
Collins conceded the race. She called Jackson to congratulate him and promised a smooth transition.
Jackson becomes the first Democrat to represent Maine in the Senate since 1995. Collins held the seat since 1997, nearly three decades.
Troy Jackson victory strengthens Democrats in the Senate
Jackson is a former Maine Senate president and labour organiser. He entered the race in July, after delegates selected him as the replacement candidate.
Supporters celebrated with Jackson at an election night gathering in Portland. He told them: “We did it. Working people did it.”
The win helped deliver the Senate majority to Democrats. It was the seventh Republican-held seat Democrats flipped.
What is confirmed: Jackson won the seat. The Senate majority already went to Democrats. Jackson takes office with the new Congress in January.
