Murkowski Hires Patton Boggs' Ginsberg

Patton Boggs partner Benjamin Ginsberg has found his way into one of the latest disputes over election results — this time advising U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski's write-in effort.

Murkowski (R-Alaska) is poised to win re-election, depending on the outcome of more than 83,000 write-in votes. Though she lost the Republican primary in August to Joe Miller, a former federal magistrate judge, Miller received about 70,000 votes on Election Day.

Ginsberg (pictured above) has lots of experience examining contested ballots. He advised Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) in Coleman’s failed recount bid two years ago, and he was part of George W. Bush’s legal team during the 2000 Florida recount.

That doesn’t mean, though, that Alaska’s process will be similarly drawn-out or uncertain. “To refight the last recount is a fatal error,” Ginsberg said in an interview Monday, speaking generally. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment today.

Miller isn’t giving up, and his campaign’s latest statement takes aim at Ginsberg. It criticizes Murkowski for hiring “high priced election lawyers” and says Ginsberg “played a key role in the ‘hanging chads’ Florida recount of the 2000 election.” The statement adds that thousands of absentee ballots still need to be counted and that Miller is assembling a legal team.

Click here for an Am Law Daily wrap-up of some other post-election disputes.

National Law Journal photo by Diego M. Radzinschi.

Comments

[renny wise]

Not a big Murkowski fan. Don't like people that want to make a career out of politics. Don't like nepotism --- would rather kids made their own mark on the world. That being said, I think a dehydrated turnip is better than Palin protege Joe Miller.

[misa]

Some of the Tea Party candidates were just nuts. Imagine Miller whining over the spelling of Murkowski. Tell him to "Man up". You go Lisa!

[Dan]

Miller may be extreme however we need someone. that will not buckly under or make dells. Lisa has done that to much. She owes the democrat party to much now.

[Frank Simon]

Miller is too extreme...had he not been then Murkowsi would not have had chance to be where she is at this point. Not all the hailed Tea Party Candidates were electable.