Today's seven-count felony conviction of Republican Senator Ted Stevens made him the fifth sitting senator ever to be convicted of a crime. Three of the previous four resigned their seats before being expelled, while the fourth died, according to the Senate Historical Office.

The Alaska Democratic Party has called for Stevens' resignation, though the six-term senator will likely be defeated for re-election before that happens. "Senator Stevens' felony convictions are very serious and he should immediately resign from the United States Senate," said Patti Higgins, the Alaska Democratic Party chair. "He knew what he was doing was wrong, but he did it anyway and lied to Alaskans about it. Alaskans deserve better from their public officials. It's time for us to elect an ethical and honest Senator who will move this state forward."

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich currently leads by six-tenths of a point in the RCP Average.

--Kyle Trygstad