French v. Bell Senate Race May Not Be Over

Absentee ballots have small chance of negating French's lead

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By Bill McAllister
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Story Created: Nov 7, 2012 at 6:49 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Nov 7, 2012 at 7:19 PM AKDT

There's still one legislative race that has a small chance of changing, which would make the Republican edge in the Senate 14-to-6.

In West Anchorage, Democratic Senator Hollis French is leading Republican Bob Bell by 247 votes.
The Division of Elections says as of yesterday there were 1,538 absentee votes still to be counted, with the number expected to increase slightly as votes come in by mail that were postmarked by Election Day.

French says he does not think Bell can overtake him now.

"It'd have to get far out of whack, which is just unlikely. I mean, 60-40, you know, you could see in some precincts. But we worked the absentees just as hard as they did. We get the lists, we send mail to them right away, we start calling them."

Bell agrees that he's not likely to win, but is not conceding yet. He says historically conservative voters are more likely to vote absentee.

"At 1,500, to make that up, I’d have to get 58 percent of those 1,500 votes. That’s do-able, but I wouldn't put a lot of money on it, you know."

French and Bell each accuse the other of negative campaigning.

French says he won because of hard work and personal contacts with voters.

Bell says based on the reception he was getting, he is surprised at his apparent loss.

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marktwain said on Friday, Nov 9 at 7:23 PM

these avatar forums are cool. just think, bob bell could post here as someone named InCourt.

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Anonymous said on Friday, Nov 9 at 5:51 PM

lluna ktva was bought by Denali group...some things never change hu? slant the news again...

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Anonymous said on Thursday, Nov 8 at 12:52 PM

well even if he wins the senate is run by the Robpublicans now...there goes that $2 billion give away...funny how they always get the wrong address..

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InCourt said on Thursday, Nov 8 at 5:51 AM

Hollis French is the sleaziest politician in Alaska. I met him personally, and his lies, self-agrandizement, malicious misrepresentation of opponents, and personal dishonesty are without peer. He has no conscience when his own motive to succeed is at risk. What I cannot fathom is how he convinces good citizens of his district to continue to vote for him. Is he that good of a liar? I guess so because the alternative is not pleasant: people accept him and his greedy ways because they are duped.

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Yep said on Wednesday, Nov 7 at 10:33 PM

French needs to go to get the State to grow.

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barb55 said on Wednesday, Nov 7 at 7:43 PM

we can only pray Hollis is outsted! He has been a spoiler on many issues Alaskans wanted. Good luck Mr. Bell

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