The Conservative Cave
Current Events => Breaking News => Topic started by: Wretched Excess on November 05, 2008, 08:01:21 AM
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this is unexpected. if he wins, at least republicans have a shot at retaining this seat in a special election in the likely even that he is expelled from the senate. those absentee votes are expected to be heavily republican.
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens holds slim lead
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) _ With his political future uncertain, a weary Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, looking at bit deflated, left a gathering of supporters to go home and get some sleep.
With 96 percent of precincts reporting, Stevens — the longest serving Republican in the history of the Senate — led Tuesday with 48 percent of the vote compared to 47 percent for two-term Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, a Democrat.
Stevens' lead was fewer than 4,000 votes with more than 40,000 absentee ballots to be counted within 10 days.
Since Stevens has been senator, he's never even remotely been in such a tight race, said his spokesman, Aaron Saunders. But, he said, Stevens was cautiously optimistic about the outcome.
More (http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/265802.php)
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this is unexpected. if he wins, at least republicans have a shot at retaining this seat in a special election in the likely even that he is expelled from the senate. those absentee votes are expected to be heavily republican.
But, until then, Gov. Sarah Palin appoints his successor.
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But, until then, Gov. Sarah Palin appoints his successor.
it's complicated. alaska actually has two laws on the books regarding senate vanancies; one was a ballot measure that passed, and one was a bill passed by the alaska state legislature. both were enacted in 2004. the alaska supreme court will have to decide which one prevails.
they both call for a special election, but only one allows sarah palin to appoint an interim successor. but I believe that both remedies require a special election within 90 days.