Republicans confident they will keep Senate control after fears of backlash

Republicans are newly confident they will keep control of the Senate, after turning back challengers in a number of states that had become unexpected battlegrounds but where Donald Trump ultimately prevailed. The backlash against the president and his handling of the coronavirus pandemic had some Republicans bracing for a “bloodbath” in the Senate. But with each passing hour on election night the picture grew rosier for Republicans, who hold a…