Even without contested write-ins, still leads Miller.
Chris Miller / AP Photo
It took a few extra weeks, but it looks like Lisa Murkowski is all but assured of becoming the second senator ever elected by a write-in vote. After Tuesday’s review of write-in ballots, Murkowski’s lead over her Alaska GOP challenger Joe Miller had increased to 10,420 votes, more than Joe Miller’s tally even if the 8,153 ballots that Miller has contested aren’t counted. The Division of Elections has counted 100,868 votes for Murkowski, and 90,448 for Miller. Miller, the Tea Party candidate backed by Sarah Palin, still has the option of calling for a recount.
