GREAT FALLS, Montana, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Democrat Jon Tester declared victory over Republican Sen. Conrad Burns in Montana on Wednesday in a close race that put the Democratic Party one seat away from controlling the U.S. Senate.
"We won this thing," Tester declared at a Great Falls news conference.
U.S. media called the election for Tester even as some results continued to be tallied after a night of uncertainly.
"It's over," Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer, who campaigned for Tester, said later by telephone. Burns is "no longer a U.S. senator come January."
Incumbent Burns, first elected in 1988, was tainted by links to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his campaign was marred by several gaffes. Montanans have traditionally voted Republicans.
Democrats now have 50 seats in the 100-seat U.S. Senate, with the only undecided contest in Virginia.
Now, if George Allen would concede in Virginia, this would all be over. At this point, it doesn't look like he will, however.
Concede, Allen, and let's get on with it.
Then there's wildcard Joe Lieberman who won his seat as an independent after losing the primary as a Democrat and who will no doubt be playing musical chairs with the Democrats and Republicans - if he doesn't finally end up crossing the floor to actually join the GOP eventually.
What's a US election without a bit of drama?
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