The Associated Press declared Republican Dan Sullivan the winner in Alaska’s Senate race Wednesday, besting incumbent Mark Begich by several thousand votes.
Recommended Stories
Sullivan led by more than 8,000 votes on election night and held a similar edge after counting 20,000 absentee, early-voting and questionable ballots. Though some ballots still remain to be counted, there aren’t enough for Begich to overcome Sullivan’s lead.
The Republican’s victory gives Alaska two GOP senators — and gives the party 53 overall, with a potential 54th on the way after a runoff in Louisiana.
“While we have challenges to address, the opportunities in Alaska and our country are limitless,” Sullivan said in a statement. “Today, we are going to begin the process of turning our country around and building a brighter future for our children.”
Despite the call, Begich has yet to concede. The AP explains why:
Begich is no stranger to come-from-behind wins. In 2008, Republican Sen. Ted Stevens led Begich by about 3,000 votes in a race Begich won about two weeks later by fewer than 4,000 votes.
The dynamics of that race were different, however, with the election coming days after a jury found Stevens guilty in a federal corruption trial. The case was later tossed out by a judge, prompting many Republicans to believe Begich’s win was a fluke.
Sullivan is a former Alaska attorney general and natural resources commissioner.
