Miller won't appeal Murkowski's Senate win

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller refused to appeal Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s write-in victory Friday afternoon, ending months of legal battles and closing the book on one of the state’s most historic political races.

Miller defeated Murkowski in the Aug. 24 Republican primary, only to see write-in votes lead by about 10,000 votes in the Nov. 2 general election after Murkowski announced her write-in bid to reclaim her seat. Democratic candidate Scott McAdams came in third, and quickly conceded.

Meanwhile, Miller sued the state Division of Elections over what he considered its improper attempts to determine voters’ intent on write-in ballots, insisting that state statute required voters to spell Murkowski’s name perfectly.

A federal judge had placed an injunction on the state’s certification of the Senate race results, but earlier this month the Alaska Supreme Court ruled against Miller, citing the importance of determining voter intent when voters differ in their ability to articulate their choices.

The federal stay was lifted this week, and state officials certified the race’s results Thursday.

Earlier Friday, Miller told Fox News that he’s not encouraged by the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and uncertain about his chances in a U.S. Supreme Court case.