WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican Dan Coats won the Senate race in Indiana on Tuesday over Democrat Brad Ellsworth, the MSNBC and Fox TV networks projected, giving Republicans a seat previously held by Democrats.

The victory by Coats, who retired previously from the Senate and was recently working as a lobbyist, helps Republicans narrow the gap in the Senate against Democrats who are at risk of losing their majority in the chamber.

He will replace retiring Democratic Senator Evan Bayh.

(Reporting by Jeremy Pelofsky; Editing by Frances Kerry)