Scandal in Alaska! House and Senate Races

Senator Ted Stevens (R) v. Mayor Mark Begich (D)

The senate seat long held by Senator Ted Stevens is not one Republicans would have thought they'd have to pay much attention to this year, that is until Senator Stevens got himself into some trouble. Senator Stevens has been under investigation by federal authorities in connection with a bribery case involving VECO, an oil field and pipeline services company that was looking to win a contract to construct an oil and natural gas pipeline. Company executives have plead guilty to, among other things, making payments to Senator Stevens' son and for some renovations to the Senator's home.

Today, the FBI has indicted Senator Stevens under seven felony counts of lying to the FBI - quite a penalty to pay for a wrap-around porch and a Viking gas range. Something similar to this landed former San Diego Congressman Randy "Duke"Cunningham in jail not too long ago.

So, Senator Stevens has been put to work for the first time in many years to defend his formerly secure seat and today's news is not helping things. The 84-year old Senator has been quite popular in Alaska for bringing home federal funds (remember that "bridge to nowhere?"). Opposing him, if he survives the primary, which is looking less likely today, is a Democratic favorite and rising star, Mayor Mark Begich. Mark Begich is mayor of Anchorage and a moderate Democrat.

Begich is putting up quite a challenge to Senator Stevens; polling has them within two to five points of one another with Begich leading in most recent polls by as much as eight points and Stevens up in one or more from a week or so ago. The fact that Republicans have to spend money here to help Stevens defend the seat he has held for 40 years is not helping the Republican cause, although pundits have rated this seat as leaning Republican. As the race progresses we will see if the political pundits start to consider it a toss up or even leaning D.

Congressman Don Young (R) or Sean Parnell (R) v. Ethan Berkowitz (D)

Very much like the Senate seat in Alaska, the single House seat in Alaska is also worth watching this year. Tied up in the same VECO scandal as Senator Ted Stevens is long-time congressman Don Young. According to federal authorities, Congressman Young is being investigated in connection with the oil field and pipeline company's misdeeds. Congressman Don Young is popular in Alaska because of all the funding he has brought back to the state, including Monday for the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere."

Young is being challenged by a state legislator named Ethan Berkowitz and is in for a real fight. In fact, Congressman Young is trailing Berkowitz by double digits in the polls. And all this is just assuming Young wins the Republican primary, which is not a certainty. His Republican challenger in the primary is Lt. Governor Sean Parnell, and Parnell is currently holding a small lead. While Berkowitz is running ahead of Young, he is trailing Parnell in the polls.