The VOA news network, in its latest breaking news update, reports developments related to the race for control of the U.S. Senate.

The Republicans began election night with a majority of 53 seats versus 47 for the Democrats. For the Democrats to take control of the Senate, they need to win a total of four more seats.

In the state of Virginia, VOA has also joined a group of media outlets that have predicted the victory of Mark Warner, the Democratic senator, over Brett Mizusawa, the Republican candidate.

Virginia hosts the U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon), important U.S. Navy installations, and key national security centers and U.S. intelligence activities. For this reason, the state’s representation in Congress is of special importance in determining U.S. defense and foreign policies.

With this result, Democrats in Virginia retain their seat and solidify their current representation in the Senate. Democrats are trying to win the four seats currently under Republican control.