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Washington Chalk up another Senate race for the Republicans. Former state Attorney General Dan Sullivan is the winner in a tight race against incumbent Mark Begich (D), bringing the Republican Party's net gains in last week's election to eight Senate seats.

That total looks likely to reach nine come December, when a runoff election in Louisiana will decide whether incumbent Mary Landrieu (D) loses her seat to Bill Cassidy (R).

Senator Begichs campaign effort succumbed to the same Republican tide that swept aside Democratic incumbents in North Carolina, Arkansas, and Colorado all a sign of high voter disapproval of President Obama.

The Alaska result puts Republicans in a stronger majority in the US Senate when a new session starts in January (they needed just six new seats to take control), and gives them a little cushion against whats expected to be a tough Senate rematch in 2016. The party also padded its commanding majority in the House.

The Associated Press reported that although Begich did not concede the race, initial counting of absentee ballots showed that the incumbent would not be able to overcome Mr. Sullivans 8,100-vote election night lead.

Sullivan cast his victory as one with implications for the nation as well as the Last Frontier.

While we have challenges to address, the opportunities in Alaska and our country are limitless, he said in a victory statement. Today, we are going to begin the process of turning our country around.

The Alaska race was among many that looked close in opinion polls leading up to Election Day but where voters broke against Mr. Obamas party.

Begich and the other ousted incumbents were facing tough odds all along. Back in 2008, they had won election in states that now lean strongly Republican (Arkansas as well as Alaska) or are swing states in presidential elections (North Carolina and Colorado). Back then, a deep recession and financial crisis propelled Democrats into both the Oval Office and strong congressional majorities.

This time around, the political winds were blowing the other way. There was no presidential election to boost Democratic turnout. And a historical pattern of the presidents party losing ground in midterm elections was amplified by Obamas low approval ratings and public discontent with the economy.

Read more from the original source:
Alaska Senate results: Incumbent Begich swept out by Republican tide (+video)