Update: Georgia Runoffs Called, Democrats to Control Senate

UPDATE 4:26 p.m. ET: Jon Ossoff defeats David Perdue (R), as first called by the AP.

Original story follows:

Rev. Raphael Warnock (D) defeated Sen. Kelly Loeffler (D) in one of the two 2021 Georgia runoffs, based on projections from multiple news outlets. While the race between Jon Ossoff (D) and David Perdue (R) is deemed too close to call, Ossoff has claimed victory. 

As of 10:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Ossoff leads Perdue by 17,000 votes and experts predict he will close the deal to give Democrats a 2-0 record in the 2021 Georgia runoffs. 

An Ossoff win would split the U.S. Senate 50-50 with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris settling the tie, giving the Democrats control.

For the country's sake, it's concerning when one party — in this case, the Democrats — controls the House, Senate, and White House because it means power is split disproportionately. With threats of court-packing and statehood for the District of Columbia and for Puerto Rico, both of which would likely ensure Democratic power beyond Joe Biden's time in the White House.

Republican support in Georgia has decreased since November's election. In November, Perdue received more votes than Ossoff, but with 49.73%, Perdue fell slightly short of the needed majority. And though Warnock had more votes than Loeffler, 20% of votes went to Republican Doug Collins. Together, Republicans Loeffler and Collins received 46% of the vote to Warnock's 33%. (Nearly 7% went to Democrat Deborah Jackson). 

Check back for updates and the official call on the second Georgia runoff.