U.S. Senator Mark Begich conceded to Alaska’s previous attorney general Dan Sullivan just as updated counts from the Division of Elections were published earlier today.
As of the most recent numbers released at 3:12 this afternoon, Sullivan was ahead 48.01% while Mark Begich had 45.69%, a difference of 6,211 votes.
Senator Begich issued a statement saying: “I’m proud of the work my team and I accomplished to open the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska to development, to move forward Arctic oil exploration, and to protect Alaska’s postal service. Saving the F-16’s in Fairbanks, protecting missile defense at Fort Greely, and securing two new squadrons of F-35’s for Eielson Air Force Base will spur the largest economic investment in Interior Alaska since the construction of TAPS. Alaska is a place unmatched by any other, and the opportunity to represent Alaskans and all of Alaska’s communities in the U.S. Senate has been a tremendous honor for which I am eternally grateful.”
Begich also reported that he spoke with Sullivan earlier today and encouraged him to adopt a bipartisan resolve in the Senate stating that quarrels over partisanship do not reflect Alaska’s unique needs and priorities.