2008 United States Senate election in Alaska

none March 2026 December 2017 2008 United States Senate election in Alaska Alaska presidential no 2002 United States Senate election in Alaska 2002 2014 United States Senate election in Alaska 2014 November 4, 2008 150x150px File:Mark Begich, official Senate photo portrait, 2009.jpg Mark Begich Democratic Party (United States) 151,767 47.77% Ted Stevens (cropped).jpg Ted Stevens Republican Party (United States) 147,814 46.52% File:2008 United States Senate election in Alaska results map by borough and census area.svg 350px Borough and census area resultsBegich: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%Stevens: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% U.S. Senator Ted Stevens Republican Party (United States) Mark Begich Democratic Party (United States) The 2008 United States Senate election in Alaska was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican Senator and former President pro tempore Ted Stevens ran for re-election for an eighth term (a seventh full term). It was one of the 10 Senate races that U.S. Senator John Ensign of Nevada, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, predicted as being most competitive.Kate Phillips, G.O.P. Leader Maps Senate Elections The New York Times, June 13, 2008 The primaries were held on August 26, 2008.2008 Primary Election Information https://web.archive.org/web/20080805100434/http://www.elections.alaska.gov/2008_prim_info.php August 5, 2008 Division of Elections from the Alaska Secretary of State Stevens was challenged by Democratic candidate Mark Begich, the mayor of Anchorage and son of former U.S. Representative Nick Begich Sr. On October 27, 2008, Stevens was convicted on seven charges of ethics violations and corruption.Alaska Senator Found Guilty of Lying About Gifts, New York Times, October 27, 2008http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-stevenstrial9thld,1,7085286.story Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens found guilty of lying about gifts from contractor October 27, 2008 October 27, 2008 Los Angeles Times https://web.archive.org/web/20081028225825/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-stevenstrial9thld,1,7085286.story October 28, 2008 dead mdy If re-elected, Stevens would have been the first convicted felon to be elected to the United States Senate.Yardley, William. "Senator Stevens hanging by a thread in Alaska." The New York Times, November 5, 2008. Retrieved on November 5, 2008 On November 19, Stevens conceded, a day after the Associated Press called the election for Begich.Blood Michael R. Alaska Sen. Stevens concedes in re-election race http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_el_se/stevens_46 Associated Press November 19, 2008 August 11, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20081210133135/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_el_se/stevens_46 December 10, 2008 dead Stevens became the longest serving senator to ever lose re-election, surpassing the previous record set in 1980.https://www.senate.gov/senators/longest_serving_senators.htm Longest serving U.S. Senators Begich was the only Democrat in 2008 to flip a Senate seat in a state that Barack Obama lost to John McCain in the concurrent presidential election. With a margin of 1.3%, this election was the second-closest race of the 2008 Senate election cycle, behind only the election in Minnesota. This was the first time since 1966 that a Democrat won Alaska's Class 2 Senate seat, and the only time since 1974 that a Democrat won an Alaska U.S. Senate election. A Democrat did not win another statewide election in Alaska until the August 2022 special election when Mary Peltola was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. This was the first time Alaska voted for candidates of different political parties for U.S. senator and president since Democrat Mike Gravel was reelected as Republican Richard Nixon carried the state in 1968. Stevens's conviction was set aside in April 2009, and the U.S. attorney general dropped all charges against him, citing serious prosecutorial misconduct during the trial. On August 9, 2010, Stevens died in a plane crash.Ted Stevens, Longtime Alaska Senator, Dies at 86 Clymer Adam August 10, 2010 The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/11/us/politics/11stevens.html June 12, 2023Ted Stevens, Longest-Serving Republican Senator, Dies in Plane Crash Kahn HUMA August 10, 2010 ABC News https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ted-stevens-longest-serving-republican-senator-dies-alaska/story?id=11366077 June 12, 2023 Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary The ADL ballot contained all of the primary candidates for the Alaska Democratic Party, the Alaskan Independence Party, and the Libertarian Party of Alaska. Candidates Alaskan Independence Bob Bird Democratic Mark Begich, Anchorage Mayorhttps://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/946-begichs-entry-tees-up-first-tough-reelection-race-in-stevenss-career/ Begich's entry tees up first tough reelection race in Stevens's career Aaron Blake February 27, 2008 The Hill July 18, 2016 Ray Metcalfe, former State Representative and founder of the Republican Moderate Party of Alaskahttp://ballot-access.org/2007/12/03/founder-of-republican-moderate-party-of-alaska-will-run-as-a-democrat-for-us-senate/ Founder of Republican Moderate Party of Alaska Will Run as a Democrat for US Senate December 3, 2007 Ballot Access News July 18, 2016 Frank Vondersaar, perennial candidate Libertarian Fredrick David HaaseFredrick "David" Haase - LibertarianJune 2023 InternetArchiveBot yes . The Anchorage Daily News. August 19, 2008.DavidforAlaska.com https://web.archive.org/web/20080908013051/http://www.davidforalaska.com/ September 8, 2008 . Results Democratic–Libertarian–Independence primary resultshttp://www.elections.alaska.gov/08prim/data/results.pdf Official Primary Election Results September 18, 2008 December 3, 2008 State of Alaska: Division of Elections https://web.archive.org/web/20081127073932/http://www.elections.alaska.gov/08prim/data/results.pdf November 27, 2008 dead mdy Democratic Party (Alaska) Mark Begich 63,747 84.12% Democratic Party (Alaska) Ray Metcalfe 5,480 7.23% Alaskan Independence Party Bob Bird 4,216 5.56% Alaska Libertarian Party Fredrick Haase 1,375 1.81% Democratic Party (Alaska) Frank Vondersaar 965 1.27% 75,783 100.00% Republican primary Candidates Michael Corey, judge, attorney David Cuddy, former State RepresentativeAnchorage developer plans to challenge Stevens for Senate seat Fairbanks Daily News-Miner December 22, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2007. July 2016 Gerald Heikes, minister Rick Sikma, pastor Ted Stevens, incumbent U.S. Senator since 1968 Vic Vickers, former assistant State Comptroller Richard Wanda Campaign With three and a half weeks to go before the primary, Stevens still held a large polling lead over chief rival Dave Cuddy, 59% to 19%.Stevens Sinks in Alaska Senate Race August 2, 2008 http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/08/02/stevens_sinks_in_alaska_senate_race.html Political Wire August 4, 2008 August 6, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080806104634/http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/08/02/stevens_sinks_in_alaska_senate_race.html dead mdy Political newcomer Vic Vickers said on July 28 that he expected to pour $750,000 of his own money into his bid to defeat Stevens.http://www.adn.com/2008/07/29/478115/newcomer-candidate-says-he-can.html Newcomer candidate says he can beat Stevens Anchorage Daily News July 29, 2008 August 4, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20120716225157/http://www.adn.com/2008/07/29/478115/newcomer-candidate-says-he-can.html July 16, 2012 dead mdy According to Rasmussen polling of Alaskans, Cuddy "does nearly as well against Begich" as Stevens, trailing Begich 50% to 35%, while Vickers trailed the expected Democratic nominee 55% to 22%.http://community.adn.com/adn/node/128088 50% still regard Stevens favorably and don't want him to resign Alaska Daily News July 31, 2008 August 4, 2008 August 30, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080830101934/http://community.adn.com/adn/node/128088 dead mdy Results In the Republican primary on August 26, results from 70.5% of precincts showed Stevens winning with 63% of the vote; Cuddy had 28% and Vickers had 6%.Michael O'Brien July 18, 2016 https://thehill.com/homenews/news/13609-stevens-wins-primary-young-locked-in-a-nail-biter/ Stevens wins primary, Young locked in a nail biter The Hill August 27, 2008 Republican primary results Ted Stevens (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 66,900 63.52% David Cuddy Republican Party (United States) 28,364 26.93% Vic Vickers Republican Party (United States) 6,102 5.79% Michael Corey Republican Party (United States) 1,496 1.42% Roderic Sikma Republican Party (United States) 1,133 1.08% Rich Wanda Republican Party (United States) 732 0.69% Gerald Heikes Republican Party (United States) 599 0.57% 105,326 100.00% General election Candidates Major Mark Begich (D), Mayor of Anchorage Ted Stevens (R), incumbent U.S. Senator since 1968 Minor Bob Bird (AI) Fredrick "David" Haase (L) Ted Gianoutsos (I) Campaign The FBI investigation and subsequent seven-count indictment of Ted Stevens, as well as the investigation of the state's only Representative, Don Young (R), generated some negative feelings in Alaska towards Republicans, even among Republican primary voters. Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (son of the last Democratic Rep. from Alaska, Nick Begich) was courted by both the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. In February 2008, he announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the Senate seat. The possible Democratic field also included former Governor Tony Knowles, State Rep. Eric Croft and State Senators Hollis French and Johnny Ellis.John Nichols Ted Stevens -- and Senate GOP -- In Trouble http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/31/2889 https://web.archive.org/web/20080708214843/http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/07/31/2889/ dead July 8, 2008 The Nation July 30, 2007 March 17, 2014 Former Minority Leader of the Alaska House of Representatives Ethan Berkowitz was considered a possible candidate, but he decided to challenge Don Young instead. Sensing discontentment within the GOP, conservative Republican Dave Cuddy announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate in December 2007. Stevens was perceived by many as corrupt, but was also highly regarded by many Alaskans for his ability to steer federal funding toward the state; he was the longest-serving Republican in the Senate entering 2008 (first elected in 1968), and through his seniority, he amassed a great deal of influence there. The selection of Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin as the vice-presidential running-mate of Republican presidential candidate John McCain in late August 2008 coincided with a substantial improvement in Stevens' performance in opinion polls. A poll in August showed Begich with a 17% lead, but in early September a poll from the same source showed Begich leading Stevens by only 3%. Begich's campaign and some observers attributed this change to Palin's popularity and the enthusiasm stimulated by her selection,Robbins Liz 2008-11-06 Alaska Wilderness (Poll Edition) https://archive.nytimes.com/thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/06/alaska-wilderness-poll-edition/ 2024-06-03 The Caucus en although Palin's reputation was partially based on her perceived opposition to Stevens or distance from him. The Stevens campaign disputed the low numbers shown in the August poll and said that the numbers had improved in September because Stevens had begun heavily campaigning. His campaign also presented the relationship between Palin and Stevens as positive, contrary to some portrayals.Josh Kraushaar https://www.politico.com/story/2008/09/palin-popularity-buoys-stevens-013305 Palin popularity buoys Stevens Politico September 10, 2008 July 18, 2016 Stevens was convicted of seven felony counts of failing to report gifts on October 27, 2008. This was considered a serious setback in his already difficult bid for re-election; he had requested and received a quick trial in hopes of winning an acquittal before election day.John Bresnahan https://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/messy-trial-ends-with-a-decisive-verdict-014819 Jury: Stevens guilty on seven counts Politico October 27, 2008 July 18, 2016 After the verdict, Stevens maintained his innocence and said that he was still running for re-election.Glenn Thrush and Daniel W. Reilly https://www.politico.com/story/2008/10/stevens-vows-to-remain-a-candidate-015011 Stevens vows to remain a candidate Politico October 27, 2008 July 18, 2016 Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report2008 Senate Race ratings for October 23, 2008 https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 The Cook Political Report April 1, 2021 June 25, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210625160336/https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139080 dead Lean D FlipOctober 23, 2008 CQ PoliticsRace Ratings Chart: Senate https://web.archive.org/web/20081031142743/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate October 31, 2008 CQ Politics Lean D FlipOctober 31, 2008 Rothenberg Political Report2008 Senate ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2008-senate-ratings Inside Elections April 1, 2021 Lean D FlipNovember 2, 2008 Real Clear Politics2008 RCP Averages & Senate Results https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/senate/election_2008_senate_races.html Real Clear Politics August 31, 2021 Lean D FlipOctober 30, 2008 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered MarkBegich (D) TedStevens (R)Research 2000Research 2000 December 3–6, 2007 47% 41%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports April 7, 2008 45% 46%DSCCDSCC May 6–10, 2008 51% 44%Research 2000Research 2000 May 12–14, 2008 48% 43%Rasmussen Reports May 14, 2008 47% 45%Rasmussen Reports June 16, 2008 44% 46%Research 2000Research 2000 July 14–16, 2008 47% 45%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 17, 2008 52% 44%Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports July 30, 2008 50% 37%Ivan Moore ResearchIvan Moore Research July 31, 2008 56% 35%Ivan Moore Researchhttps://archive.today/20080917230727/http://www.anchoragepress.com/site/basicarticle.asp?ID=823 Ivan Moore Research August 30 – September 2, 2008 49% 46%Rasmussen Reports September 9, 2008 48% 46%Research 2000 September 15–17, 2008 50% 44%Rasmussen Reports October 6, 2008 48% 49%Research 2000Research 2000 October 14–16, 2008 48% 46%Rasmussen Reports October 28, 2008 52% 44%Research 2000Research 2000 October 28–30, 2008 58% 36% Results Begich won the election by 3,953 votes. Incumbent Stevens had held a lead of over 3,000 votes after election night, but a tally of nearly 60,000 absentee and mail-in ballots released on November 12 erased that lead and reduced the vote margin separating the candidates to less than 0.5%,http://www.adn.com/elections/senate/story/587414.html Begich takes lead in latest vote count Anchorage Daily News November 13, 2008 November 13, 2008 Sean Cockerham https://web.archive.org/web/20081129170349/http://www.adn.com/elections/senate/story/587414.html November 29, 2008 dead mdy with further counting, released on November 18, increasing the margin to more than 1% in favor of Begich. On November 19, 2008, Stevens conceded to Begich.Stevens concedes; Begich savors first day of senate elect status Alaska Public Radio Network. Retrieved on November 19, 2008. 2008 United States Senate election in AlaskaClerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Clerk of the United States House of Representatives Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 4, 2008 https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008election.pdf 2 Democratic Party (United States) Mark Begich 151,767 47.77% Republican Party (United States) Ted Stevens (incumbent) 147,814 46.52% Alaskan Independence Party Bob Bird 13,197 4.15% Alaska Libertarian Party Fredrick Haase 2,483 0.78% Independent Ted Gianoutsos 1,385 0.44% 1,077 0.34% 317,723 100.00% Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) Boroughs and census areas that flipped from Republican to Democratic Aleutians West Census Area (largest city: Unalaska) Anchorage Bethel Census Area (largest city: Bethel) Denali Borough (largest city: Healy) Kusilvak Census Area (largest city: Hooper Bay) Nome Census Area (largest city: Nome) Dilingham Census Area (largest city: Dilingham) Fairbanks North Star (largest city: Fairbanks) Kodiak Island (largest city: Kodiak Island) Lake & Peninsula Borough (largest city: Newhalen) North Slope Borough (largest city: Utqiaġvik) Northwest Arctic Borough (largest city: Kotzebue) Prince of Wales–Hyder Census Area (largest city: Craig) Yukon–Koyukuk Census Area (largest city: Fort Yukon) Juneau Sitka Skagway Hoonah–Angoon Census Area (largest town: Hoonah) Petersburg Haines Borough (largest census-designated place: Haines) Yakutat See also 2008 United States Senate elections List of United States senators from Alaska References External links Alaska Division of Elections https://web.archive.org/web/20080625192441/http://ltgov.state.ak.us/elections/ June 25, 2008 U.S. Congress candidates for Alaska at Project Vote Smart Alaska U.S. Senate race from Congress.org Alaska, U.S. Senate from CQ Politics Alaska U.S. Senate race from The Green Papers Alaska U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com Alaska U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets Stevens vs Begich graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com 2008 Election from The Anchorage Daily News newspaper Official campaign websites (archived) Mark Begich, Democratic candidate Ted Gianoutsos, Veterans Party candidate Ted Stevens, Republican incumbent Vic Vickers, Republican candidate 2008 Alaska United States Senate Category:Mark Begich Category:Ted Stevens