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Republican Tim Sheehy emerged victorious in a closely watched Senate race, defeating three-term Democrat incumbent Jon Tester. The former U.S. Navy SEAL’s win strengthens the GOP’s newly acquired Senate majority.

Throughout his campaign, Sheehy aligned himself closely with Donald Trump and prominent conservative figures, while portraying Tester as a Washington insider tainted by corruption. The Republican candidate focused on addressing the southern border crisis and reducing government regulations.

The contest saw unprecedented levels of spending from outside groups. Democrats entered the election with a slim two-seat majority in the Senate, and Tester, a moderate and the chamber’s sole working farmer, was considered one of the most vulnerable Democratic incumbents nationwide.

On Tuesday night, Republicans secured control of the Senate with victories in Ohio and West Virginia.

In a statement following his win, Sheehy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in the Senate, saying, “Since day one, we’ve been running a grassroots campaign, talking directly with Montanans about how we make Montana affordable again, make America strong again, and bring back Montana common sense, which means a secure border, safe streets, cheap gas, cops are good, criminals are bad, boys are boys, and girls are girls.”

The 38-year-old Sheehy sought to challenge Tester’s reputation for authenticity by highlighting over $500,000 in donations from lobbyists and their families to Tester during the previous election cycle. This strategy mirrored Tester’s own 2006 campaign, when he defeated a three-term Republican incumbent embroiled in a Washington lobbying scandal.

Sheehy emphasized his military service and business experience, downplaying questions about a bullet wound he admitted to misrepresenting. He also highlighted his success as the founder of an aerial firefighting company, despite the firm’s declining stock price.

Framing the race as crucial for Republicans seeking to undo four years of Democratic control in the Senate and White House, Sheehy appealed to conservative voters across Montana.

Tester, 68, was the last Democrat holding statewide office in Montana and the final Democratic senator from the five-state Northern Plains region. When he first took office in 2006, Democrats held six of the region’s ten Senate seats.

In an effort to withstand the conservative wave sweeping the region, Tester appealed to moderate Republicans and independents. He linked his Senate campaign to a ballot proposal to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution and frequently reminded voters of his background as a working farmer.

Tester also attempted to distance himself from Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris while emphasizing his support for abortion rights to appeal to moderate and independent voters.

Tester’s narrow victory in 2006 over a three-term Republican incumbent marked a high point for Montana Democrats. It came during a midterm election amid growing dissatisfaction with the Bush administration’s handling of the Iraq War.