Lisa Murkowski long past midnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning

At the headquarters of U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski long past midnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning, aides pored over precinct election reports as the senator sat on a green couch with her family and staff.

Former Gov. Sarah Palin backed Miller against Murkowski, who she's ridiculed off and on over the years. Palin especially didn't like that Lisa Murkowski's father, Frank, appointed Lisa to his U.S. Senate seat after he was elected Alaska governor in 2002.
Murkowski herself was just trying to stay calm.

Tea partiers may have a reason to party big time.

Moderate Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski is trailing in Alaska's Senate primary — though the final results likely won't be known for over a week.

Murkowski, who was thought to be a shoo-in against Sarah Palin-backed challenger Joe Miller, is behind by approximately 2,500 votes with 84% of precincts reporting.

If Murkowski falls, she'd be the third incumbent Senator to lose so far this year — following Republican Bob Bennet and Republican-turned-Democrat Arlen Specter.

Miller told the Anchorage Daily News that Palin’s support was crucial.

Palin beat the senator’s father, Gov. Frank Murkowski, in the Republican primary four years ago. Palin argued that when he won the position, he appointed his daughter to replace him in D.C.

Murkowski slammed Palin on Tuesday night. I don't think she's out for Alaska's interest," Murkowski told the local newspaper while waiting at her campaign headquarters for the results.