| − | Joe Miller defeated incumbent [[RINO]] Lisa Murkowski for the Republican nomination, He was able to do this because of his clear [[pro-life stance]]. Joe Miller did not effectively handle the media, even going so far as to have one reporter and online news magazine editor handcuffed by a heavy handed security detail he inexplicably brought to a middle school.<ref>http://www.adn.com/2010/10/17/1506223/miller-security-guards-handcuff.html</ref> Selfishly exploiting his lack of media savvy Murkowski decided to run as a write-in candidate. Murkowski was able to secur millions of dollars in advertising from the [[Alaska Native Corporations]], which were created by legislation written by [[Ted Stevens]] and depend on spending from the appropriations committee to make their money. Depending on whether misspelled ballots are counted Murkowski either won by 2,000 votes, or by nearly 10,000 votes.<ref>http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/10GENR/data/results.htm</ref><ref>http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/121210/loc_755533373.shtml</ref> The State of Alaska, Alaska case law, and federal election guidelines all indicate that voter intent is the important factor for determining if a vote should be counted. | + | Joe Miller defeated incumbent [[RINO]] Lisa Murkowski for the Republican nomination. He was able to do this because of his solid conservative credentials, Sarah Palin and Tea Party support. Joe Miller did not effectively handle the liberal media, even going so far as to have one reporter and online news magazine editor handcuffed by a heavy handed security detail he inexplicably brought to a middle school.<ref>http://www.adn.com/2010/10/17/1506223/miller-security-guards-handcuff.html</ref> Selfish and arrogant, Murkowski decided to run as a write-in candidate. Murkowski was able to secure millions of dollars in advertising from the [[Alaska Native Corporations]], and other native groups that Murkowski fought to get earmarks for. The Democrat candidate was weak and 30% of Democrats voted for the independent Murkowski. <ref>[http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/10/03/Murkowski-write-in-drawing-Democrat-votes/UPI-12251286141617/ Murkowski write-in drawing Democrat votes, UPI.com, October 3, 2010]</ref> |
| | + | Miller disputed the election results due to Alaska laws stance on misspelled ballots, but Murkowski beat Miller by nearly 10,000 votes.<ref>http://www.elections.alaska.gov/results/10GENR/data/results.htm</ref><ref>http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/121210/loc_755533373.shtml</ref> Miller's insistence that the courts follow the law as written prior to November 2010. The State of Alaska, Alaska case law, and federal election guidelines all indicate after the election, that voter intent is the important factor for determining if a vote should be counted. That law was amended in January 2011. |