Stevens Won’t Back Down

Even as his conviction has politicos rethinking Senate filibuster math, Ted Stevens of Alaska says he’ll fight the verdict and continue campaigning for re-election. It’s not all bad news for the longest serving Senate Republican—and you really can’t make this up—the Senate doesn’t ban convicted felons.

Los Angeles Times:

Stevens, 84, reacted pugnaciously, attacking the Justice Department and vowing to continue campaigning for reelection to his seventh term next Tuesday.

“I am obviously disappointed in the verdict but not surprised given the repeated instances of prosecutorial misconduct in this case,” he said in a prepared statement. “I will fight this unjust verdict with every ounce of energy I have.” He asked Alaskans and his Senate colleagues to “stand with me as I pursue my rights.”

Stevens has managed to remain neck and neck with Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich since the trial began, despite being unable to campaign in person. But political analysts have said from the beginning that all bets would be off were Stevens to be convicted.

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senate.gov

Sen. Ted Stevens feeds a hungry hungry hippo during a visit to the National Zoo in Washington last year.