WASHINGTON, AND SEATTLE — Despite his conviction last month on corruption charges, Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate, clung tenuously to his Alaska seat Wednesday as congressional Democrats exulted in election gains across the country.
Although the Democrats expanded their majorities in the House and the Senate, the outcome of a number of races could be in doubt for several weeks.
The Georgia Senate race appeared headed for a December runoff, and the Oregon Senate race was too close to call. In Minnesota, GOP Sen. Norm Coleman apparently eked out a victory over Democrat Al Franken, but a recount is required because the margin was less than 0.5%.
In the political drama unfolding in Alaska, Stevens -- in perhaps Tuesday's biggest surprise -- narrowly led Democrat Mark Begich.
If Stevens wins, he is likely to face an effort by his Senate colleagues to expel him. That has generated speculation that the state's newest political star, Gov. Sarah Palin, this year's Republican vice presidential nominee, would seek to succeed Stevens, who is 84 and has been in the Senate since 1968.
Democrats expanded their control in the 100-member Senate to at least 56 seats. They knocked off Republican Sens. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and John E. Sununu of New Hampshire, while losing no incumbents of their own. However, they appeared to be falling short of the 60 seats needed to overcome Republican-led filibusters.
In Minnesota, Coleman led Franken, who rose to fame as a performer and writer on "Saturday Night Live," by 477 votes out of more than 2.46 million cast." In Georgia, Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss was falling just short of the 50% needed to avoid a Dec. 2 runoff against Democrat Jim Martin.
In Oregon, Republican Sen. Gordon H. Smith held a slim lead over Democrat Jeff Merkley. The Oregonian newspaper, based on statistical analysis of the remaining 340,000 votes, projected Wednesday night that Merkley would be the eventual winner, but the Associated Press maintained that the race was too close to call.
Democrats were already contemplating changes.
Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) is planning to challenge Rep. John D. Dingell (D-Mich.) for the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a major battleground for climate change legislation. Dingell, an auto industry ally, and Waxman have feuded over tougher regulation of vehicle emissions.
