JUNEAU, Alaska — Don’t look for an indictment to knock Ted Stevens out of the U.S. Senate race in Tuesday’s primary, but look closely at the final numbers for clues about Stevens’ chances in November.
The key is whether he gets more than 50 percent of the vote against his six challengers or simply finishes ahead of them without breaking that threshold.
“That’s what’s worth watching,” said Gerald McBeath, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “That’s what everyone will be talking about.” And if Stevens doesn’t break 50 percent? “That means dissatisfaction,” McBeath said. “It means throw out the rascal.”
Late last month, federal prosecutors charged Stevens with a seven- count indictment alleging that he lied on Senate disclosure reports to conceal more than $250,000 in home renovations and gifts from Veco Corp. executives. He asked for a speedy trial and got it. Proceedings start Sept. 22 in federal court in Washington, D.C.
