Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) declared her victory Wednesday in the Alaska U.S. Senate race, making her the first Senate candidate to win with a write-in campaign since 1954.
    
The victory comes two months after Murkowski announced her long-shot bid to run against Tea Party favorite Joe Miller, who defeated her in the Republican primary.
   
On Wednesday, a crowd of supporters chanted "We made history" as election workers tabulated the last votes. Murkowski admitted the win was a bit "mind-boggling."

"Tonight after eight weeks, I think we can say our miracle is here," Murkowski told her supporters at Wednesday night's rally. "Our miracle is here.  We know through all this, this is a campaign and it is just the beginning.  But now the real work begins."

"I promised during this campaign that I would do everything, everything that I could do to best represent you," Murkowski said, her voice shaking at times. She added later: "I pledge to you today and from this day forward that I will do everything that I can to keep that commitment to you all."

Miller, meanwhile, has yet to concede the race, indicating he may seek a recount.

"Given how close the vote totals are, Miller needs to be given the same opportunity of having all of his ballots inspected and counted by hand to ensure every vote cast for him is counted," Miller spokesman Randy DeSoto said.

The last U.S. Senate candidate to win as a write-in was Strom Thurmond in 1954.