Sullivan defeats Begich in Alaska

Former Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan (R) has defeated Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), in a dominant midterm election cycle for Republicans.

{mosads}The Associated Press early Wednesday called the race for Sullivan, who defeated Begich 49 percent to 45.3 percent with 100 percent of precincts reporting.

Roughly 30,000 votes remain uncounted, the AP reported, adding that Begich did not concede.

“Today, we are going to begin the process of turning our country around and building a brighter future for our children,” Sullivan said in a statement.

Sullivan ran a disciplined campaign, posting huge fundraising numbers and relentlessly tying Begich to President Obama, as he attacked government regulation.

He managed to unite a fractured Republican base, boosted by the endorsements of his primary foes, 2010 Senate nominee Joe Miller (R) and outgoing Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell (R). He also got a big boost with centrists and independents from Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R), who gave him a hearty endorsement and fought with Begich throughout the campaign.

Begich ran hard on centrist credentials, highlighting his splits from President Obama on energy production, gun control and other issues. But he couldn’t get enough distance from the president on a terrible night for his party.

— This report was updated at 8:18 a.m.