Sen. Murkowski wins Alaska primary

WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Incumbent Lisa Murkowski easily defeated an intraparty rival in Tuesday's Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Alaska.

Appointed to the Senate by her father, Frank Murkowski, after he was elected governor in 2002, Lisa Murkowski received 38,653 votes compared to 24,575 for her principal rival, former Alaska Senate President Mike Miller.

Murkowski will face former two-term Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles, who received 34,962 votes in the Democratic primary, according to unofficial results, in the November election.

Analysts in both parties say the race presents the best chance for Democrats to defeat a sitting Republican in the upcoming general election.