GOP's Dan Sullivan Leading Race For U.S. Senate Seat In Alaska

If Dan Sullivan topples incumbent Mark Begich, a Democrat, Republicans would pick up another seat in the upper chamber.

Republican Dan Sullivan holds an 8,100-vote lead over Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich in Alaska — but the incumbent doesn't seem ready to concede.

Every precinct has reported its votes — Sullivan has held a consistent lead — but thousands of absentee and other ballots have yet to be counted.

Alaskans for Begich Campaign Manager Susanne Fleek-Green referenced those outstanding ballots in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.

"Inspired by stories of village elders being lifted onto four wheelers to go vote and Alaskans traveling up and down river to cast their ballots, Alaskans for Begich is anxious for a final count of all of Alaskans' ballots and respects the procedures, process and timetable of the Alaska Division of Elections," she said.

Begich, the former mayor of Anchorage, was the junior senator since 2009, and has been held to one term. Sullivan was the state's attorney general under former Gov. Sara Palin and was most recently the commissioner of natural resources.

Begich is no stranger to last-minute victories. As the Associated Press reported:

He trailed Republican icon, Senator Ted Stevens, by about 3,000 votes after the 2008 general election only to come behind and win by nearly 4,000 votes when absentee ballots were counted.

At a rally on Tuesday evening, Sullivan told his supporters, "We are taking back our country!" according to the Dispatch.

"We're going to take back America, the land that we love," Sullivan said, with a crowd chanting, "USA! USA!"

The GOP has already solidified its new hold on the chamber, which, among other things, will likely usher in a new hawkish Senate.

The Dispatch also reported that the race was the costliest in the state's history, with some $50 million spent between both candidates.

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