Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) released the following statement urging Tea Party candidate Joe Miller to drop from Alaska’s senate race where the number of correctly spelled write-in votes bearing incumbent Lisa Murkowski’s name have been contested by Miller:
“It is time for Joe Miller to put Alaska interests ahead of personal ambition and allow the State of Alaska to certify Lisa Murkowski as the winner,” Begich said.
“Failure to certify the election could prevent Senator Murkowski from being sworn into office in early January when other new senators officially take office.
“As many in Washington are united against securing funding for important road and public facility projects in individual states, it’s vital that Alaska have both senators putting our unique needs first and fighting for our state. Without both Senators, Alaska’s interests will be at risk on critical issues from energy development to job creation and reducing the national debt in a way that’s fair to Alaskans.”