Mark Begich
Mark Begich is the Senator-elect from Alaska. Begich has been the mayor of Anchorage since 2003. After a two-week long recount, it was reported that Mark Begich had defeated incumbent Senator Ted Stevens by 3,724 votes, a margin of 47.8 to 46.6. This is a reversal of the initial vote count, which had Stevens ahead, 48% to 47%.1 2 Begich will be the first Democratic Senator from Alaska since Mike Gravel, who left office in 1981.
Fast Facts
- Born: 1962
- Birthplace: Anchorage, Alaska
- Member of the Democratic Party
- 1988: Elected to Anchorage city assembly3
- 2003: Elected mayor3
- Re-elected in 20063
- First mayor of Anchorage who was actually born in the city4
- Considers climate change a top issue4
- Supports drilling in ANWR4
Senate Run
Begich found a tight race with incumbent Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens lost ground in the polls after he was convicted of seven felony charges, and going into Election Day, the polls showed Begich leading by nine points.5 However, when the votes were counted, Stevens came out ahead by one percentage point.
Due to the close nature of the vote, a recount was ordered. After the recount, Begich was declared the winner of the Senate race.1 2 Begich's win gives Democrats 58 seats in the Senate.6
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Ted Stevens | Anchorage | Alaska | Democratic Party | Ted Stevens Indicted | Alaska Election Results | Election 2008 | Alaska Senate Race Results
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