The Hill News

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) tweeted his good wishes to local Alaska attorney Joe Miller on Wednesday morning after Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) conceded defeat in the Republican primary.

"Congratulations to Joe Miller on winning the Alaska Republican primary," he said.

As chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Cornyn had backed Murkowski but embraced Miller in a statement Tuesday night.

"The NRSC is committed to doing everything that we can in order to ensure Joe Miller’s victory this November, and I have no doubt that h! e will be elected as the next U.S. Senator from Alaska," he said.

Miller was leading Murkowski by fewer than 3,000 votes after the Aug. 24 primary. State officials tallied 15,000 absentee ballots on Tuesday, of which Murkowski picked up fewer than 200. 

"I don't see a scenario where the primary will turn out in my favor," she said from her Anchorage campaign headquarters.