Jim Justice (R-WV) won the West Virginia Senate race on Tuesday to succeed outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV), handing Republicans a major victory in their quest for control of the upper chamber. The Associated Press called the race for Justice at 7:30 PM ET,

ToplineWest Virginia’s Senate race was called for Republican Jim Justice by the Associated Press on Tuesday, replacing retiring Sen. Joe Manchin, who caucuses with Democrats—bringing the chamber within one seat of a clear GOP majority.

The G.O.P. governor easily won the seat being vacated by Senator Joe Manchin III, an independent who caucused with Democrats, giving Republicans an expected win as they push to take the Senate.