Alaska senator's demise leaves Senate supermajority open
Democrats tighten their grip on Capitol Hill
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Wednesday, 19, Nov 2008 12:58
Democrats in the Senate moved closer to the 60-seat supermajority needed to block filibusters following the defeat of Alaska senator Ted Stevens.
Mr Stevens had been seeking to prolong his tenure as the United States' longest serving senator despite being convicted of corruption charges.
Earlier today it was announced he had lost only after absentee ballots were counted, taking around 147,004 votes to challenger Mark Begich's 150,728.
"I am humbled and honored to serve Alaska in the United States Senate," Mr Begich said in a statement.
"It's been an incredible journey getting to this point, and I appreciate the support and commitment of the thousands of Alaskans who have brought us to this day."
The development increases the Democrat hold over Congress' upper house to 58.
And with two senatorial races still to be decided, the Democrats could yet work their way up to 60 seats.
A recount is underway in Minnesota, where former comedian Al Franken trails Norm Coleman by only a hundred votes.
And in Georgia incumbent Saxby Chambliss is hoping to defeat the Democrats' Jim Martin in a runoff vote taking place on December 2nd.