Gary Peters wins 2nd term in U.S. Senate, beating John James, ABC News projects

(WXYZ) — Democratic Sen. Gary Peters has won his second term in the Senate after beating metro Detroit businessman John James, a Republican, ABC News projects.

VIEW FULL ELECTION RESULTS HERE

With 99% of precincts reporting, Peters had a lead with 50% of the votes compared to 49% for James. Peters has 2,683,325 votes to James' 2,623,738. James had been leading the race until absentee ballot counts began coming in on Wednesday afternoon and evening.

"Michigan, thank you. It's an honor to serve you for another six years in the U.S. Senate. To all who believed in us, gave your time and effort in our fight: thank you for putting your trust in me. I'm so grateful and energized to keep working to move our state forward," Peters said in a tweet on Wednesday evening.

James, who lost to Sen. Debbie Stabenow in 2018, ran a different race in his attempt to unseat Peters this year.

This was Peters’ toughest challenge after he beat Terri Lynn Land in 2014 55% to 41% to replace former Sen. Carl Levin.

Polls had shown the two in a tight race throughout much of the campaign, but a recent poll showed Peters with a larger lead on James.

James has been considered a rising star in Republican politics at only 39 years old, and would have become Michigan’s first Black U.S. Senator if he won.

Michigan won’t have another Senate seat up for grabs until 2024.

John James' campaign is questioning the results of the of the election. A tweet from his campaign consultant, Stu Sandler on Twitter, expressed disappointment in the election outcome, tweeting: "Michigan elected it's first Black Senator. The people have spoken. John James has won this race. The ballots are counted. Stop making up numbers, stalling the process and cheating the system. @garypeters."

James then retweeted the post.

However, the campaign has yet to provide any evidence of election fraud.