Stevens Concedes, Won't Seek Recount

Longest-serving GOP senator makes no mention of corruption conviction

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 19, 2008 4:21 PM CST

(Newser) – Republican Ted Stevens conceded the Alaska Senate race today, bringing an end to a 40-year political career that culminated in scandal, the Anchorage Daily News reports. Stevens congratulated his Democratic opponent, Mark Begich, apparently deciding that a recount would be futile given his deficit of more than 3,700 votes.

“My family and I wish to thank the thousands of Alaskans who stood by us and who supported my re-election,” said Stevens, who turned 85 yesterday and will now focus on his appeal of felony graft convictions. “I wish (Anchorage) Mayor Begich and his family well. My staff and I stand willing to help him prepare for his new position.”

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, talks with reporters on Capitol Hill yesterday. (AP Photo)

Democrat Mark Begich talks about winning the US Senate seat for Alaska during a news conference in Anchorage today. (AP Photo)

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, talks with reporters on Capitol Hill yesterday. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Suspicious Packages Hit Alaska Lawmakers

Mark Begich, Don Young both targeted

(AP) - A day after a bomb squad had to blow up briefcases left at John Boehner's offices, more suspicious packages targeted two Alaskan lawmakers. A box containing a white powder was delivered to Democrat Sen. Mark Begich's Fairbanks office and opened by a staff member. Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet says the staff member, following office procedure, opened the package in a plastic bag today and white powder spilled out. Hasquet says the package was turned over to US marshals, who were located in a nearby office in the Fairbanks federal building. More»

Alaska Senator to Sarah Palin: Whine to John McCain

Says he doesn't take advice from 'someone who quit'

(NEWSER) - Mark Begich delivered a sharp jab at Sarah Palin yesterday, saying, in effect, that he didn’t consider her an Alaskan anymore. Asked about Palin’s insistence that he push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling as part of a debt ceiling deal, Begich replied, “Someone who quit Alaska is not someone I look for to get Alaska policy decisions on.” More»

No Definitive Cause in Stevens' Alaska Plane Crash

Limited information on events of crash has NTSB stumped

(AP) - No definitive cause can be determined for the plane crash that killed former US Sen. Ted Stevens and four others last summer in Alaska, the National Transportation Safety Board said today. The board agreed at a hearing in Washington that "temporary unresponsiveness" of the pilot could be to blame, but the reasons can't be determined. There was no flight data or cockpit voice recorders on board—on a plane officials described as otherwise outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The front-seat passenger, one of the teenage passengers who survived, was said to be asleep at the time of the crash. More»

Alaska Editor Handcuffed by Joe Miller's Guards

Tea party candidate's security cuffs journo for 'trespassing' at town hall event

(NEWSER) - An Alaska editor was "arrested" and handcuffed by bodyguards of Tea Party Senate candidate Joe Miller as the journalist attempted to ask Miller questions following a public event. Tony Hopfinger of the Alaska Dispatch was cuffed and held by the guards in the hallway of a public middle school where the event occurred. The editor was finally released after Anchorage cops ordered the guards to do so. The guards claimed Hopfinger had "trespassed" on the town hall meeting at the school organized by the Miller campaign and that he "shoved" one of the guards. More»

Murkowski Airs Ted Stevens Endorsement

Campaign ad was filmed just days before he died

(NEWSER) - Not sure Joe Miller is going to be able to top this one: In the waning days of her hotly contested and bizarre Senate race, Lisa Murkowski has pulled out an endorsement from Alaskan political heavyweight and dead man Ted Stevens, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Filmed just days before his death in a plane crash, Stevens proclaims, "We need Lisa and the seniority she's earned now more than ever." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Stevens Concedes, Won't Seek Recount

Longest-serving GOP senator makes no mention of corruption conviction

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Alaska • Senate • Ted Stevens • Election 2008 • Mark Begich

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Suspicious Packages Hit Alaska Lawmakers

Mark Begich, Don Young both targeted

Alaska Senator to Sarah Palin: Whine to John McCain

Says he doesn't take advice from 'someone who quit'

No Definitive Cause in Stevens' Alaska Plane Crash

Limited information on events of crash has NTSB stumped

Alaska Editor Handcuffed by Joe Miller's Guards

Tea party candidate's security cuffs journo for 'trespassing' at town hall event

Murkowski Airs Ted Stevens Endorsement

Campaign ad was filmed just days before he died

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Stevens Concedes, Won't Seek Recount

Longest-serving GOP senator makes no mention of corruption conviction

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Alaska • Senate • Ted Stevens • Election 2008 • Mark Begich

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Suspicious Packages Hit Alaska Lawmakers

Mark Begich, Don Young both targeted

Alaska Senator to Sarah Palin: Whine to John McCain

Says he doesn't take advice from 'someone who quit'

No Definitive Cause in Stevens' Alaska Plane Crash

Limited information on events of crash has NTSB stumped

Alaska Editor Handcuffed by Joe Miller's Guards

Tea party candidate's security cuffs journo for 'trespassing' at town hall event

Murkowski Airs Ted Stevens Endorsement

Campaign ad was filmed just days before he died

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?