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Pennsylvania: Republican Pat Toomey fends off strong Democratic challenger

FILE -In this May 9, 2016 file photo, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia.
FILE -In this May 9, 2016 file photo, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa. speaks during a news conference in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

Republican Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania has narrowly defeated Democrat Katie McGinty in the most expensive political race in Senate history.

Toomey’s victory keeps Republicans in control of the Senate with several races still to be decided.

READ MORE: U.S. Presidential Election 2016: Live real-time results

Toomey, a former three-term congressman, was considered one of the most vulnerable Senate incumbents. A fiscal hawk, he was seeking a second term after compiling one of the most conservative voting records in Congress. Toomey tried to distance himself from Donald Trump as he appealed to moderate Democrats and independent voters willing to split their tickets, particularly in Philadelphia’s heavily populated suburbs.

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McGinty, who has never held public office, was trying to become Pennsylvania’s first female senator. The 53-year-old worked in Bill Clinton’s White House and was recruited by top Washington Democrats to challenge Toomey.

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WATCH: Who needs to win where? Global National’s Mike Armstrong joined us live from Washington this morning to explain where each candidate needs to win in order to secure the top job

Click to play video: 'Who needs to win where? Teeing up U.S. presidential election day with Global National’s Mike Armstrong'
Who needs to win where? Teeing up U.S. presidential election day with Global National’s Mike Armstrong

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