Posted on 11/17/2014 6:52:12 PM PST by Radio Free Tuscaloosa
ANCHORAGE — First-term Democratic Sen. Mark Begich has conceded his race against Republican challenger Dan Sullivan, the former Alaska natural resources commissioner who has led in his first run at elected office since Election Day on Nov. 4. According to a Division of Elections update Monday afternoon, Begich trailed Sullivan by more than 6,200 votes, about 2.2 percent. Spokespersons for the Begich campaign had said repeatedly since Election Day that every vote deserved to be counted and hinted that uncounted votes from rural Alaska might put Begich ahead.
The Associated Press called the election for Sullivan on Nov. 11.
Nearly a week later, Begich said in a written statement Monday that he called to congratulate Sullivan on the win and had stressed his desire to see better cooperation between Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, where Republicans will hold a majority after the mid-term elections.
“Alaska is ill-served by the partisan fights that don't reflect our state's unique needs and priorities,” Begich said in the statement.
Sullivan, in his own statement, said he thanked Begich for his six years of service and that both candidates had agreed that a smooth transition would be best for Alaska.
“The responsibility of representing and serving Alaskans comes first,” Sullivan said. “I look forward to doing the job that Alaskans elected me to do and to begin the process of turning our country around and building a brighter future for Alaska.”
A precinct-by-precinct breakdown of the statewide results for the U.S. Senate race shows Sullivan had a strong streak of support starting in the eastern half of the Fairbanks North Star Borough and running through communities along the Glenn Highway into the the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage area.
Begich was more popular throughout most of rural Alaska, west Fairbanks, most of Southeast Alaska and in downtown Anchorage. Many rural villages, as well as one Juneau precinct, gave Begich more than 80 percent of the vote.
The only precinct where Sullivan won more than 80 percent of the vote was Eielson, where the Republican won 211 votes.
The more than $50 million spent on the Senate election by the campaigns and independent groups makes it the most expensive single race in Alaska history.
Sullivan’s win returns the Senate seat to Republican control. Begich, the former Anchorage mayor, beat Sen. Ted Stevens in 2008 days after a jury found Stevens guilty of accepting illegal gifts. In that election, Begich overcame Stevens’ lead on Election Day to win after early, absentee and questioned ballots were counted.
In his statement, Begich included his efforts to keep F-16 fighter jets based at Eielson Air Force Base among his accomplishments in the Senate, as well as work on opening the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to oil and gas development and improving health care for veterans.
“As a born and raised Alaskan, I will always be involved in my community, and the results of an election have never diminished my desire or passion to achieve these goals,” Begich said.
Harry Reid is gonna revoke this guy’s D card...Rats NEVER concede a close election, they start filing lawsuits...
Bout Damn Time Begich, you disgusting little worm.
FUMB!
In his statement, Begich included his efforts to keep F-16 fighter jets based at Eielson Air Force Base among his accomplishments in the Senate, as well as work on opening the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to oil and gas development and improving health care for veterans.
Bullcrap. The credit goes to Brigadier General Mark Kelly who commanded the 354 Fight Wing. It was his insight and selling points the kept the F-16’s at Eielson.
Begich just happened to be at the meeting.
Is that Gabby’s hubby?
Kind of him. He’s a bit slow on the uptake, however.
Good news. I was afraid they’d steal it.
No. General Kelly was the former commander at Eielson. He has since been assigned to somewhere in an opposite time zone.
He explained the mission of the 354th FW and it’s impact on the training of our air forces and our allies. He emphasized the importance
of the location and size of the runway, in aiding follow on forces for future battles that could occur in Asia and Europe.
He also noted the forces ability to support moving the aircraft and personnel into the fight from the arctic location. He emplored the panel to look at a globe. Look at Eielson’s distance from Russia, Germany, Poland, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and China. If something happens, you need Eielson to move the forces there quickly.
It was his testimony that convinced the panel.
God bless America. Remove these communists from our midst forever.
Nice job grasping the obvious, Begich. Now get lost.
Odd they gave up so easy. In Texas, yes, I could see them giving up as ballot stuffing is VERY HARD when you have to deal with Voter ID. But Alaska...
We have voter ID here. Or, we do in Fairbanks.
Thanks, that may explain it then...
That 2008 election still smells.
Another one bites the dust.
his printing press broke. that made it impossible to print the ballots he needed in time
HAHAHAHA. Bipartisanship is now the vogue, ain't it Dems.
Bye, bye Begich...now disappear along with the other Dem losers.
Get out Begich. Crook.
YES!
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