South Carolina

Key Trump ally Senator Lindsey Graham has told supporters he is going back to the Senate "with a purpose" after holding on to his seat in South Carolina.

Graham, who is chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary committee, appeared to be in the fight of his political life against an opponent who had raised record amounts of campaign funding.

He said: "I've never wanted my job more than I do now. I've never appreciated my job more than I do now. I've never been more grateful to have it, and I've never been more prepared to do it than I am now."

His victory is a boost for Republicans looking to keep their Senate majority.

Outlining his priorities he told supporters: "We are going to put our national security interests ahead of everything else because without national security, nothing else matters."

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Trump ally Lindsey Graham has held on to his Senate seat in South Carolina, according to reporting from the Associated Press, Fox News and the New York Times.

The veteran politician appeared to be in the fight of his political life this year, and was up against an opponent who had raised record amounts.

It was an unexpectedly close race for a conservative state where Graham has been senator for close to two decades.

Heading into election night, Republicans hold a narrow, three-seat advantage in the Senate. This loss will disappoint Democrats looking to snatch away that majority.

Find out more about the Senate races to watch.

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Donald Trump is projected to win his 10th state of the night - South Carolina. It's another southern Republican stronghold. It's voted for the Grand Old Party in every race in the last 40 years.

Here's our North America reporter Anthony Zurcher's analysis on this projection:

For a few moments in the final months of this campaign, Democrats entertained thoughts that South Carolina might be within reach for Joe Biden. It’s seen some of the demographic changes that have made Georgia and North Carolina more fertile ground for the party.

It turns out that was not the case. It appears safe to say this will not be a landslide election for Joe Biden, and South Carolina will remain firmly Republican for another four years.