UPDATE: Alaska Senator Ted Stevens Defeated

NYTimes The Caucus:

Update | 8:43 p.m. With most of the remaining ballots counted in Alaska, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich appears to have unseated long-time Senator Ted Stevens, widening the Democrat’s lead to 3,724 votes. The new count pretty much closes the door on Mr. Stevens’ hopes of re-election. According to the latest official count by the Alaska Division of Elections, Mr. Begich has 150,728 and Mr. Stevens trails with 147,004.

LATER: AP says it’s over:

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, marking the downfall of a Washington political power and Alaska icon who couldn’t survive a conviction on federal corruption charges….

Stevens’ ouster on his 85th birthday marks an abrupt realignment in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate, where he has served since the days of the Johnson administration while holding seats on some of the most influential committees in Congress.

The crotchety octogenarian built like a birch sapling likes to encourage comparisons with the Incredible Hulk, but he occupies an outsized place in Alaska history. His involvement in politics dates to the days before Alaska statehood, and he is esteemed for his ability to secure billions of dollars in federal aid for transportation and military projects.

ADN:

The Anchorage mayor widened his lead to 3,724 votes in today’s counting of absentee and questioned ballots. The only votes left to count are approximately 2,500 special absentees from people living outside the U.S. or in remote parts of Alaska with no polling place.

The state will count those final ballots on Nov. 25.

Begich issued a statement shortly before 5 p.m. claiming victory.

“I am humbled and honored to serve Alaska in the United States Senate,” Begich said. “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. I can’t wait to get to work fighting for Alaskan families.”

The Stevens campaign has made no comment.

Here in Georgia I voted today in the runoff. News is Chambliss is fighting a subpoena in a civil case brought by the families of the victims in the Imperial Sugar case. Background here, here and here.

Chambliss has brought in the big guns to fend off challenger Jim Martin. McCain was here yesterday. Mike Huckabee over the weekend. Mitt Romney is headed here, but won’t be in Georgia at the same time as Huckabee. Here’s why.

In Minnesota, Michael Stickings tells us the recount begins tomorrow.