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Alaska GOP Calls for Senate Race Do-Over

Palin, party leader say Stevens would have won without felony raps

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2009 1:46 AM CDT

(Newser) – The head of Alaska's Republican Party is calling for Democratic Sen. Mark Begich to step down and clear the way for a new election now that felony misconduct charges have been dropped against former Sen. Ted Stevens, reports the Anchorage Daily News. Stevens would not have lost in November if voters had known the "corrupt" Department of Justice would drop its case against him, claims Randy Reudrich.

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin issued a statement backing a special election. Begich fired back, saying that while there was evidence of misconduct in Stevens' corruption trial, he entered the race long before Stevens' legal troubles began "because Alaskans were looking for a change and a senator as independent as Alaska."

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Alaska Republican Party chairman Randy Ruedrich. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, File)

Former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens walks off of a stage at an election party in Anchorage last year. Stevens' opponent, Mark Begich, won by a slim margin. (AP Photo/Al Grillo, FILE)

Democrat Mark Begich talks about winning the US Senate seat for Alaska against Sen. Ted Stevens during a news conference in Anchorage last year. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin issued a statement supporting special Senate election in the state. (AP Photo/Al Grillo)

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In light of the good news yesterday, I am sure many of us wish we could turn the clock back to last November. Unfortunately, that is not an option. - Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 9 comments

Caps

Apr 3, 2009 12:50 PM CDT

Gosh, what poor losers the GOP are. Can't these do-does realize their party is dead?

Robert_Dada

Apr 3, 2009 12:35 PM CDT

The only reason the charges were dropped was because this would have been a costly dragged out process. Stevens has tons of money and could have tied this up in the court system for years. I hate it too but that's our justice system.

riffran

Apr 3, 2009 9:25 AM CDT

I geuss the big questions are ...did the charges that were dropped, affect the outcome? Was the intitiation of the charges a real accusation or a political maneuver?

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Anchorage Daily News (Source Grid »)

Palin calls for Begich to step down
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Feds drop case against Stevens
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Politics • US

Alaska • Senate • Ted Stevens • special election • Sarah Palin • Mark Begich • Board of Elections

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Alaska GOP Calls for Senate Race Do-Over