The Hill News

Sen. Lisa Murkowski's (R-Alaska) call for a speedy end to a legal challenge by Joe Miller met with opposition on Friday, according to court documents.

The AP reports that attorneys for Miller filed a response to Murkowski's motion declaring that the state is the sole entity in deciding the issue at hand.

Murkowski had asked that the state expedite the suit, arguing that she could lose her position of seniority in the Senate if she is not seated by Jan. 3. 

Her request was granted by Fairbanks Superior Court Judge Douglas Blakenship. 

Murkowski, who mounted a write-in challenge after Miller won the Republican primary, was declared the winner of Alaska's three-way Senate on Nov. 17. She led by 10,328 votes, many of which have been contested by Miller's camp.

A hearing on the motions is scheduled for Monday.