Judge says Alaska can certify Senate results by Jan. 3

Alaska will have a U.S. senator in place when the new Congress convenes Jan. 5, even if the legal wrangling between Joe Miller and Lisa Murkowski isn't over.

A federal judge ruled late Tuesday that the state can certify the results of the state's hotly contested Senate race by Jan. 3 even if the court battle continues well into the new year, the Associated Press reports.

Unofficial results released last month found Murkowski, the GOP incumbent who ran as a write-in candidate, leading Miller by 10,328 votes. But Miller has filed suit to hold up certification of the vote, questioning the legitimacy of 8,159 write-in ballots.

Still, some of Miller's own supporters have questioned the point of his legal challenge. Even if the ballots Miller is challenging are tossed out, Murkowski would still win the race by more than 2,100 votes.

U.S. District Judge Ralph Beistline said in a written ruling Tuesday that the state could certify the results and simply replace Murkowski if the courts later declare Miller the winner. Another court hearing is set for Friday.

Murkowski has said she's worried that if the legal battle drags on past Jan. 5, she could lose her seniority in the Senate. On Tuesday, her campaign said in a statement that it hopes the court fight might be settled by Christmas. But Miller has remained defiant, insisting he will take the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.

(Photo of Murkowski and Miller: Clark James Mishler/Getty Images)