Murkowski Concedes Senate Primary Race

It’s all over now: Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) conceded Tuesday night in her primary race to Fairbanks lawyer and Tea Party favorite Joe Miller. Murkowski, the sitting senator and part of an Alaskan political power family, was trailing Miller by 1,469 votes at the time of her concession. There are still several thousand votes to be counted, but Miller’s widening lead suggested Murkowski would not be able to make up the votes. At one point, Miller’s lead had narrowed to 1,210 votes and Murkowski’s campaign manager remained hopeful the Senator would make some heavy gains. Meanwhile, Miller’s team had accused Murkowski aides of misconduct, as some ballots seemed to have been cast in the wrong precinct or for the wrong party.