Stevens Trailing By 3 Votes In Alaska Senate Race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, a titan of Alaska politics convicted of felony charges last month, fell behind by three votes Wednesday as the count resumed in his re-election bid.

Democrat Mark Begich, the two-term mayor of Anchorage, began Wednesday down more than 3,200 votes but closed the gap as officials resumed counting early and absentee ballots. The tally was 125,019 to 125,016.

Neither side expected to be able to claim victory Wednesday. By late afternoon, officials had counted more than 44,000 of the roughly 90,000 outstanding ballots.

"Right now we're cautiously optimistic," said Bethany Lesser, spokeswoman for the state Democratic Party. "There's obviously more votes to come in, but it goes to show how hard we worked to get the vote out early and how important that was."

Stevens' campaign did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Last month, a federal jury in Washington convicted Stevens of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations from an oil field services company.

That might have spelled quick political doom for a lesser figure, but the 84-year-old Stevens is revered here for his decades of public service _ and especially for scoring the state enormous sums of federal money.

Begich would be the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Alaska since the mid-1970s and a win would put his party one step closer to a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority in the Senate. Democrats are also trying to unseat Republicans in unresolved contests in Georgia and Minnesota.

Fellow senators have called on Stevens to resign, and he could face expulsion if he doesn't _ in which case a special election would be held to determine his replacement. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, fresh from her failed run at the vice presidency, said Wednesday she'd be interested in serving in the Senate.

Should the result remain close a recount is possible. In Alaska, the losing candidate or a collection of 10 voters has three days to petition for a recount unless the vote was a tie, in which case it would be automatic.

If the difference between the candidates is 0.5 percent of the total votes cast, the state pays for the recount, to be started within three days of the recount petition. The state Elections Division has 10 days to complete the recount.

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Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor in Washington contributed to this report.

Comments

[truthseeker12]

Woohoo!! This could be a major speedbump in Sarah Palin's planned roadshow! I am cautiously optimistic that Alaskans will finally say goodbye to corruption in the Senate.

[kellygrrrl]

GO BEGICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

let us make sure we CLOSE THE DOOR on a Sen. Palin situation!!!!!!

[idontknowanything]

But she opened one tonight with Wolf Blitzer. She said she would not be so egotistical as to appoint herself to a vacant Stevens' seat, should he lose, OR APPOINT ONE OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS. This is a direct reference (swipe at) to Frank Murkowski appointing his daughter, Lisa Murkowski to his senate seat. Palin has her sights set on 2010, when the junior Murkowski's seat will be up for election.

This has nothing to do with anything, but Lisa is a lot prettier than Sarah. You think that bugs her?

[neuron]

Is this legal under state law???

[MarionKIN]

Apparently Sarah forget that she CAN'T appoint anyone at all.

Alaska law requires a special election now.

Hopefully, Begich will win anyway. We Alaskans need someone smart and decent to help improve our reputation. (Btw, Mine's one of those three votes. Go Begich! :-) )

[mari2JJ]

She cannot appoint anyone. Since the murcowski daughter was appointed to the Senate by her father, the Alaska Law says there has ro be a new election to fill a vacant Senate seat so Palin has not one thing to do with it unless she decides to run for the open Senate seat with no more advantage than any other person and probably a lot less advantage than Begich has. My kids who live in Alaska and who voted for her are very disgusted with her because she looked so stupid during the campaign.

[sonambulanthorde]

Is that a crack in the door? Hurry Sarah, God's giving you (the finger) a signal!!!

[JamesInDenver]

LOL, if a fly lands on her nose, she'll know its a sure sign.

[stuckintraffic]

Good! Palin won't be able to appoint herself to the Senate!

[tossytosser]

Please let Stevens lose.

That gets rid of him AND any chance of Palin manipulating a route to the senate for herself.

[DiBaskin]

OMG! Please no more Palin. Beat me, make me walk on hot coals in my bare feet but please don't make me have to listen to Palin for four years in the Senate.

[nostalgia]

your wish is granted!

[nonamesleft]

I have my fingers crossed for the Dems.