The story

Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley declared victory over Republican incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith, moving Democrats one seat closer to a filibuster-proof majority in the U.S. Senate.

"This is the beginning of a transformational change for America," Merkley said at a news conference at Portland State University.

He said he would be working with President-elect Barack Obama "to put this nation back on track." Read full article »

CNN's Joe Sterling and Ted Barrett contributed to this report.

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