Dan Sullivan, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Alaska. Photo from Facebook

Republican Dan Sullivan arrived in Washington, D.C., this morning after he claimed victory in the hotly contested U.S. Senate race in Alaska.

Another round of ballot counts boosted Sullivan's lead over Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska). The Associated Press called the race on Wednesday, citing the latest tallies.

"I am deeply humbled and honored to be chosen by my fellow Alaskans to serve them in the United States Senate," Sullivan said on Facebook. "From day one we told our supporters that we would run a campaign that Alaskans could be proud of and that’s what we did."

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) campaigned in the village of Napaskiak. Photo from Facebook

However, Begich has refused to concede his re-election campaign. He wants to wait until all the votes are counted -- at least 30,000 absentee and questioned ballot remain, The Fairbanks Daily News reported.

“Those who had historic access to early voting locations for the first time should have their voices heard,” spokesperson Max Croes told The Alaska Dispatch News.

Begich was on Capitol Hill yesterday as lawmakers returned to work for the remaining days of the 113th Congress. He participated in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Sullivan's win would give Republicans at least 53 seats in the chamber.

Get the Story:
GOP win in Alaska adds to party's US Senate sweep (AP 11/12)
Sullivan prepares to take Senate seat while Begich campaign remains hopeful (The Alaska Dispatch News 11/13)
Sullivan claims victory in Senate race (The Fairbanks Daily News Miner 11/13)
Dan Sullivan, G.O.P. Senate Challenger in Alaska, Wins Senate Race (The New York Times 11/13)

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