Ashliana
11-19-2008, 04:04 PM
The senate's longest-serving Republican, Senator Ted "series of tubes" Stevens lost his run for re-election after being convicted of seven counts of felony corruption charges earlier this month. This brings the Democratic total in the senate up to 58, with 2 races still undetermined.
The other Alaskan senator, Lisa Murkowski, isn't up for re-election until 2010, effectively tabling Palin's ability to run for an Alaskan senate seat in preparation for a 2012 Presidential run. FOX News described Stevens as selfish for running (instead of letting a bribery-charge free Republican run) and a blessing (http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/11/19/bnewmark_1119/)that he was defeated.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AFP) — Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the US Senate, looked set Wednesday to be ousted by voters after a graft scandal, boosting Democrat hopes of winning a filibuster-proof majority.
The Alaskan veteran's rival, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, claimed victory after vote tallies showed him leading by 3,724 votes -- 150,728 to 147,0004 -- with only about 2,500 overseas ballots left to be counted.
If confirmed, the result would leave Democrats with 58 seats, just two short of the number needed to make them immune to Republican attempts to block legislation with filibusters, a tactic involving long speeches to use up time.
Two more Senate races, in Minnesota and Georgia, are still to be decided.
"I am humbled and honored to serve Alaska in the United States Senate," Begich said in a statement.
"It's been an incredible journey getting to this point, and I appreciate the support and commitment of the thousands of Alaskans who have brought us to this day."
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer said in a statement that "Mark Begich will be an outstanding senator for Alaska and the country, and with seven seats and counting now added to the Democratic ranks in the Senate, we have an even stronger majority that will bring real change to America."
The Stevens campaign was not immediately available for comment.
Stevens, whose apparent defeat came on his 85th birthday, was found guilty of corruption one week before standing for re-election at November 4 polls in his bid for a seventh term.
He was on trial for making false statements on mandatory financial disclosure forms he filed between 1999 and 2006 concerning gifts he received from an oil-services firm.
Stevens, who has served in the Senate since December 1968 not long after Alaska statehood, is one of the body's most powerful Republicans, with seats on the Appropriations, Defense, and other committees.
He is known as "Uncle Ted" among Alaskans for his lengthy service and the huge amounts of federal funding he brought home to the state.
The Anchorage Daily News reported that Stevens had not yet called Begich to concede, and that the Alaska senator was still on Capitol Hill.
"I haven't had a night's sleep for almost four months," Stevens was quoted by the Alaska daily as saying.
"I've been living about three different lives, and it's hard to even answer your questions properly," he said, adding "I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone, my worst enemy."
Alaska is the home state of defeated Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who is presently the state's governor.
Palin has been the subject of speculation as to whether she would consider a run at Stevens' seat in the event he won the election but was forced out of the Senate by his colleagues.
The other Alaskan senator, Lisa Murkowski, isn't up for re-election until 2010, effectively tabling Palin's ability to run for an Alaskan senate seat in preparation for a 2012 Presidential run. FOX News described Stevens as selfish for running (instead of letting a bribery-charge free Republican run) and a blessing (http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/11/19/bnewmark_1119/)that he was defeated.
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AFP) — Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the US Senate, looked set Wednesday to be ousted by voters after a graft scandal, boosting Democrat hopes of winning a filibuster-proof majority.
The Alaskan veteran's rival, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, claimed victory after vote tallies showed him leading by 3,724 votes -- 150,728 to 147,0004 -- with only about 2,500 overseas ballots left to be counted.
If confirmed, the result would leave Democrats with 58 seats, just two short of the number needed to make them immune to Republican attempts to block legislation with filibusters, a tactic involving long speeches to use up time.
Two more Senate races, in Minnesota and Georgia, are still to be decided.
"I am humbled and honored to serve Alaska in the United States Senate," Begich said in a statement.
"It's been an incredible journey getting to this point, and I appreciate the support and commitment of the thousands of Alaskans who have brought us to this day."
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer said in a statement that "Mark Begich will be an outstanding senator for Alaska and the country, and with seven seats and counting now added to the Democratic ranks in the Senate, we have an even stronger majority that will bring real change to America."
The Stevens campaign was not immediately available for comment.
Stevens, whose apparent defeat came on his 85th birthday, was found guilty of corruption one week before standing for re-election at November 4 polls in his bid for a seventh term.
He was on trial for making false statements on mandatory financial disclosure forms he filed between 1999 and 2006 concerning gifts he received from an oil-services firm.
Stevens, who has served in the Senate since December 1968 not long after Alaska statehood, is one of the body's most powerful Republicans, with seats on the Appropriations, Defense, and other committees.
He is known as "Uncle Ted" among Alaskans for his lengthy service and the huge amounts of federal funding he brought home to the state.
The Anchorage Daily News reported that Stevens had not yet called Begich to concede, and that the Alaska senator was still on Capitol Hill.
"I haven't had a night's sleep for almost four months," Stevens was quoted by the Alaska daily as saying.
"I've been living about three different lives, and it's hard to even answer your questions properly," he said, adding "I wouldn't wish what I've been through on anyone, my worst enemy."
Alaska is the home state of defeated Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who is presently the state's governor.
Palin has been the subject of speculation as to whether she would consider a run at Stevens' seat in the event he won the election but was forced out of the Senate by his colleagues.