Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, conceded the Republican party primary for her seat in Alaska.

Murkowski has been trailing Joe Miller, an attorney who has the backing of the Tea Party movement. Not all of the votes were tallied but Murkowski failed to gain ground as absentee and other ballots were counted.

Murkowski was the first woman to serve as vice chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. She co-sponsored the Tribal Law and Order Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, both of which became law this year.

Since joining the Senate, Murkowski has become a strong advocate for law enforcement, health care and other needs in rural Alaska Native villages. She also has defended Alaska Native corporations from attacks on their government contracts.

Miller will face Democrat Scott McAdams, the mayor of Sitka, in the November general election.

Get the Story:
Murkowski concedes GOP Senate race to Miller (The Anchorage Daily News 9/1)

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Sen. Murkowski faces loss of seat in close primary vote in Alaska (8/26)