Alaska icon Ted Stevens loses state Senate race

Anchorage: Senator Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid, marking the downfall of a Washington political power and Alaska icon who could not survive a conviction on federal corruption charges.

Stevens' defeat to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich moves Senate Democrats within two seats of the 60-vote majority needed to overcome filibusters - a tactic used by the Senate minority to block legislation from coming to a vote.

Stevens' ouster on his 85th birthday marks an abrupt realignment in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate, where he has served since the days of President Lyndon B. Johnson's administration while holding seats on some of the most influential committees in Congress. Begich will be the first Democrat to represent Alaska in the Senate in nearly 30 years.

Stevens occupies an outsized place in Alaska history. His involvement in politics dates to the days before Alaska statehood, and he is esteemed for his ability to secure billions of dollars in federal aid for transportation and military projects.

The Anchorage airport bears his name; in Alaska, it's simply "Uncle Ted." Tuesday's tally of just over 24,000 absentee and other ballots gave Begich 150,728, or 47.76 per cent, to 147,004, or 46.58 per cent, for Stevens. There are about 2,500 overseas ballots yet to be counted.

A recount is possible. If the vote differential is more than 0.5 per cent, either of the candidates can seek a recount.