D.C. lawyer heading to Alaska to help Murkowski

The top lawyer for the Republicans' Senate campaign committee is heading to Alaska to help Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is trailing in the primary vote.

Murkowski asked Sean Cairncross to help her campaign prepare for the counting of as many as 16,000 absentee ballots cast before Tuesday's primary. Republican officials say the National Republication Senatorial Committee's chief counsel will spend a few days in Alaska.

With all precincts reporting, heavily favored Murkowski trailed conservative lawyer Joe Miller by 1,668 votes, leaving both hoping that uncounted absentee ballots will give them the victory. Officials will start counting absentee ballots next Tuesday.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

WASHINGTON (AP) - The top lawyer for the Republicans' Senate campaign committee is heading to Alaska to help Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who is trailing in the primary vote.

Murkowski asked Sean Cairncross to help her campaign prepare for the counting of as many as 16,000 absentee ballots cast before Tuesday's primary. Republican officials say the National Republication Senatorial Committee's chief counsel will spend a few days in Alaska.

With all precincts reporting, heavily favored Murkowski trailed conservative lawyer Joe Miller by 1,668 votes, leaving both hoping that uncounted absentee ballots will give them the victory. Officials will start counting absentee ballots next Tuesday.