JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has won reelection in Alaska, defeating independent Al Gross in a race that attracted outside attention with control of the Senate at stake.The race had been determined too early to call on Election Day, Nov. 3, due to a large number of outstanding absentee ballots. Election officials began counting more than 150,000 absentee and other ballots on Tuesday.
The result in Alaska means control of the Senate won’t be decided until January Senate runoffs are held in Georgia.
Sullivan campaign manager Matt Shuckerow was muted in his response Wednesday, noting ballots still were being counted in Alaska. But he said the campaign was "very delighted to be in the position that we’re in."
"We’re feeling very positive. We’re very excited about the support that we’ve received," Shuckerow said.
The Gross campaign did not immediately indicate plans to concede after The Associated Press called the race for Sullivan on Wednesday.
"With so many Alaskans voices needing to be heard, we’ll continue to monitor the race as results come in and assess tonight," Gross’ campaign manager, David Keith, said in a statement.
Indiana Sen. Todd Young, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, in a statement congratulated Sullivan, calling him a man "who has championed the unique needs of his state in Washington."
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