According to U.S. media organizations, Warnock has led Loeffler by more than 40,000 votes and nearly all ballots counted.

“We were told that we couldn’t win this election, but tonight we proved that with hope, hard work and the people by our side, anything is possible,” Warnock told supporters in a virtual speech.

“Joy comes in the morning. Thank you, Georgia,” Warnock tweeted later.

Joy comes in the morning. Thank you, Georgia. pic.twitter.com/Dw8wPWAMeI

— Senator-Elect Reverend Raphael Warnock (@ReverendWarnock) January 6, 2021

On the other hand, Democrat Jon Ossoff, a television documentary producer, led by more than 12,000 votes over Republican David Perdue in the second election.

If Ossoff wins the race, Democrats will have a 50-50 split with Republicans and a chance for Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who will be able to preside over Senate proceedings when she chooses, to cast tie-breaking votes in the Democrats’ favor.

Georgia is one of seven states that require a run-off election if no candidate receives a majority of the vote in a primary election.

Uniquely, Georgia requires a run-off election for state and congressional offices if no candidate wins a majority of the vote in a general election; only Louisiana has a similar requirement, but it operates under a different election system. (ILKHA)