(CNN) - In North Dakota, Democratic Attorney General Heidi Heitkamp defeated Republican Rep. Rick Berg, CNN projected.
Her win is a major victory for Democrats who long feared they would lose the seat vacated by Sen. Kent Conrad, who is retiring.
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While Heitkamp ran as a moderate and is generally well-liked, she faced an uphill climb in the Republican-leaning state. Berg repeatedly tied her to President Obama, who was trounced in the state by Mitt Romney.
Heitkamp also faced GOP criticism during the campaign for accepting donations from a law firm representing groups opposed to fracking, an environmentally controversial process designed to access natural gas reserves. North Dakota's economy is currently benefiting from a local energy sector boom.
Heitkamp thanked North Dakotans for supporting her campaign in a statement released Wednesday upon Berg's decision to concede the race. She also thanked Berg for "his service and for being a part of our great democratic process."
"I salute Congressman Berg for putting his ideas out there, and giving voters a clear choice in this election," said Heitkamp. "I made this promise to every North Dakotan during the campaign and I want to make it again today: I will work as hard as I can to be a senator for each and every one of you. Thank you, and I'm proud to be able to represent North Dakota."
As of 3:30 p.m. ET Wednesday the Democrats hold 54 seats (including one independent who caucuses with the Democrats) and Republicans hold 45 seats in the Senate. Independent Sen-elect Angus King has not yet announced which party he will caucus with.
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Filed under: 2012 • North Dakota |
Like Meghan McCain said – #evolve Republicans!
"waah waah she faces an uphill climb waah waah took money from an environmentalist wah"
Whatever, Barrett. Scoreboard. Another Dem senator in a red state. Even more excellent news for Romney.
This proves that money won't buy elections. In state after state, all the negative ads backed by groups named "Americans for...." or "Citizens against... " that saturated Senate races were such a turn off for voters that they often resolved to vote for the candidates who were being hit with those ads.
Tying her to President Obama apparently wasn't a good campaign tactic for the GOP. LOL She won. By the way Fox News, here's a new idea for your future programming – tell the truth!