Alaska News

Begich: Ted Stevens broke the law, it's time to move on

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In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Mark Begich took the gloves off and unleashed on Uncle Ted

U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich said today that the jury has spoken, Sen. Ted Stevens broke the law, and it's time to move on.

At a news conference in Anchorage, Begich said despite Stevens' conviction on seven felony counts, Alaskans are resilient and will be able to move forward to address the critical challenges that face the state.

The charges against Senator Stevens were serious and the conviction sends a strong message that...

U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich said today that the jury has spoken, Sen. Stevens broke the law, and it's time to move on. At a news conference in Anchorage, Begich said despite Stevens conviction on seven felony counts, Alaskans are resilient and will be able to move forward to address the critical challenges that face the state.

The charges against Senator Stevens were serious and the conviction sends a strong message that no man is above the law, Begich said. Washington D.C. is broken and too many lawmakers are serving the special interests and not the people back home.

Begich said while Stevens says he will appeal the federal jury's verdict, Alaska's issues are too important to have to wait for months or even years of legal maneuvering. Senator Stevens did a lot for our state, but that era is over, he added.

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We now have an opportunity to put this unfortunate chapter of our history behind us and focus on the future of Alaska, Begich said. This election gives Alaskans the opportunity to choose a different style of leadership, a different approach to addressing the important issues facing our state.

Begich summarized his six-month campaign for reporters, pointing out he has released more than a dozen plans to deal with issues such as energy, ethics, health care and education. Begich said with the critical challenges facing the country, Alaska needs somebody with an independent style in Washington, working across party lines to solve the problems we're facing.

"I love Alaska. This is my home. Every day I am in the U.S. Senate I will remember that and stand up for the issues that are important to us."

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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