Race Summary

Sen. Ted Stevens has never won re-election with less than 66% of the vote. If he is fortunate enough to win this year, it will likely be with far less than that. The six-term senator, who had been under federal investigation for at least a year, was indicted July 29 on seven felony counts of making false statements on his Senate financial disclosure forms. 

If Stevens survives the August 26 primary, he will face Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a candidate Democrats feel is a credible and competent challenger to Stevens's throne.

National Republicans might have felt better about this race had Stevens declined to run for re-election. Still, Alaska has voted Republican for president in 11 of the 12 years its had a vote, and Democratic statewide candidates regularly begin with an uphill challenge.

This is a race national Democrats are targeting as a prime pick-up opportunity.

Previous Elections

Senate
2002: Stevens 78, Vondersaar 11
1996: Stevens 77, Whittaker 13

President
2004: Bush 61, Kerry 36
2000: Bush 59, Gore 28
1996: Dole 51, Clinton 33

Demographics

Population (2007 est.): 683,478
Registered Voters: Dem 68,170 | Rep 118,267 | Other 292,899
Occupation: Blue Collar 22.4% | White Collar 60.5% | Gray Collar 17.1%
Race: White 67.6% | Native Am. 15.4% | Hispanic 4.1% | Asian 3.9%