Alaska Republican Ted Stevens has lost his bid to retain his Senate seat. At the end of an emotional farewell to his colleagues Thursday, the 84-year-old said, “I yield the floor for the last time.”
The remarks came the day after Stevens conceded his Senate race to Democrat Mark Begich, mayor of Anchorage. Alaska voters declined to send Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, back to the chamber.
Stevens, a U.S. senator since 1968, chaired the Appropriations Committee and was ranking Republican on the Commerce Committee. Just before the election, he was convicted on seven counts of failing to disclose gifts and thousands of dollars in home renovations from a powerful political contributor. He says he is not guilty and will appeal.
He plans to return to Alaska.
