Anchorage Daily News

JUNEAU -- Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell has conceded the tight Republican House primary race to incumbent U.S. Rep. Don Young.

After outstanding absentee and questioned ballots were counted Wednesday, Parnell trailed Young by 304 votes.

Parnell said he had a high degree of confidence in the work of the Division of Elections, an agency he oversees.

"While a recount could change the outcome of this exceedingly close election -- normal human error being what it is -- such a result is unlikely. As such, I do not believe it justifies an expenditure of taxpayer funds," Parnell said in a statement Thursday.

Since the margin between the two was so close, the state would have paid for a recount.

Another factor was Gov. Sarah Palin's selection as John McCain's running mate.

Parnell said he has found himself stepping in more for Palin on official state duties.

Palin endorsed Parnell in his race against Young.

But a longtime Alaska political observer says for Young to retain his seat against Anchorage Democrat Ethan Berkowitz in the general election, Young, a 35-year House veteran, will need that blessing.

"To help him, it would require an extraordinary action from Sarah Palin -- an endorsement from her -- and I don't know if she's going to do it," said Gerald McBeath, a political science professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Young has not said if he is seeking Palin's endorsement.

Palin's campaign spokesman, Taylor Griffin, said he had not spoken with the governor about an endorsement in the race.

Young, who is in Washington, D.C., said he's ready for a fight.

"I am 'chomping at the bit' to return home and work hard for re-election," he said in a written statement issued late Wednesday. "I have much respect for Ethan Berkowitz and am confident that we will focus on issue-oriented campaign."

Though early polls showed Berkowitz much more likely to beat Young than Parnell, Berkowitz said he had planned to run the same race no matter who he was facing, focusing on major issues like energy and the economy.

"That decision is ultimately in the hands of the voters. I feel like I would have been competitive against Sean Parnell and I feel like I will be able to run a good strong race against Don Young," he said.

Pollsters had predicted a Parnell victory, but he turned in a lackluster campaign performance and couldn't capitalize on the strength of his surprise announcement at the GOP convention.

He shocked everyone in the room, including Young, who was sitting at his table, when Parnell said he was running.

Young is under investigation for ties to oil field services company VECO Corp., and has spent more than $1 million from his campaign war chest on legal fees.

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