MARK BEGICH

Elections in Wyoming and Alaska on Tuesday could relaunch the political career of a former Republican star and effectively end the career of another.

Republican former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Republican Nick Begich and independent Al Gross have advanced to the August special election for the state’s only U.S. House seat.

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin has endorsed Republican colleague Lisa Murkowski for reelection.

Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, won re-election in Alaska, defeating independent Al Gross. (Al Drago/Pool via AP, File)JUNEAU, Alaska – Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has won reelection in Alaska, defeating independent Al Gross in a race that attracted outside attention with control of the Senate at stake. The result in Alaska means control of the Senate won’t be decided until January Senate runoffs are held in Georgia. Sullivan campaign manager Matt Shuckerow was muted in his response Wednesday, noting ballots still were being counted in Alaska. The Gross campaign did not immediately indicate plans to concede after The Associated Press called the race for Sullivan on Wednesday.

FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Gross for Senate campaign shows Independent candidate Al Gross. Gross, an independent running with Democratic support, is challenging Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska, a state that has long been a GOP stronghold. The largest bloc of Alaska registered voters identify as independents; among the parties, Republicans far outnumber Democrats. Trump won Alaska in 2016 with 51% of the vote; Democrat Hillary Clinton won 36%. Gross grew up in Alaska; his father, the late Avrum Gross, was a state attorney general.