The Associated Press reports this morning, HERE, that the Alaska state board of elections has now counted enough absentee and early votes to have established a mathematical certainty that Republican challenger Dan Sullivan is the winner in the closely contested race with Democratic incumbent Mark Begich.  Sullivan will therefore become the new junior Senator from Alaska after the swearing-in ceremonies in January, bringing the Republican majority in the Senate to 53-47.  And if, as expected, the winner of the December run-off election in Louisiana between Republican challenger Bill Cassidy and incumbent Democrat Mary Landrieu goes to Cassidy, the final tally will be 54/46.