It is official, today Mark Begich announced that he is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Ted Stevens.
Follow me below the fold for a little history of Alaska politics.
Begich, the son of former Rep. Nick Begich, is the mayor of Anchorage. He has been traveling around the state on an "exploratory" trip. He stated that the overwhelming support he received from Alaskans encouraged him to take this step and run.
"What I've been hearing is people are truly ready for change," the Democratic mayor said Sunday. "They want to see something different."
Stevens has been under investigation for his alleged role in corruption in Alaskan politics. Stevens has been linked to former VECO head, Bill Allen, who has pleaded guilty to bribery and corruption charges and is cooperating with prosecutors.
Begich's father, Nick, along with House Majority Leader, Rep. Hale Boggs, went missing during a re-election campaign trip in October, 1972. Boggs was the father of political reporter Cokey Roberts.
"BOGGS, BEGICH PLANE MISSING"
by Paul Anderson Anchorage, Alaska (UPI)
"A fleet of thirty planes was thrown into a massive search today for a light plane lost over the Alaskan wilderness Monday..."
Nick Begich won the election in November, beating challenger Don Young, 56% to 44%. Don Young was beaten by a dead man. Unfortunately we haven't been able to get rid of him since he ran and narrowly won in a special election in 1973 to fill Begich's vacated house seat.
If ever there was a chance for a Democrat to unseat Uncle Ted, Mark is the guy. Politics in Alaska is changing, due in no small part to the corruption convictions of sitting Republican state legislators and the ongoing investigation of Senator Ted Stevens and Rep. Don Young. It is a hard sell to convince the average yahoo Alaskan to vote Democratic but this may be the year we pull it off. Go Mark, go!