In Alaska, 2 titans of politics in peril

Corruption alleged as election looms

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The motorcade that blew through the chilly morning recently turned more than a few heads in a city that has seen it all: a dozen full-throated Harley-Davidsons ridden by guys covered with black leather and tattoos, and an elderly US senator bringing up the rear.

Ted Stevens emerged from his car for a campaign rally to the sound of cheers from his supporters and a round of hearty handshakes from his burly motorcycle escorts.

"We love him," said Michael Kane, leader of the local Harley club, before he and his men moved inside the packed campaign headquarters to empty the doughnut platters. "He's done 40 years of service to this state, getting money for the state for stuff we absolutely need."

If there have been any immutable facts of life in a state chiseled by shifting glaciers, it is the state's two iconic politicians: Stevens, 84, the nation's longest-serving Republican senator; and Don Young, 75, the Republican who has held Alaska's only House seat for the last 35 years.

Together, they have helped build one of the nation's wealthiest states out of an unruly territory, pushing foreign fishing fleets out of Alaskan waters, opening the way to oil development on the North Slope, and using their considerable power from decades on Capitol Hill to funnel billions of dollars of federal money into roads, schools, hospitals, and rural development.

But the two men who once were considered unbeatable now face bruising fights in Tuesday's primary election that could put their once solidly Republican congressional seats up for grabs. Both have been caught up in a long- running federal investigation that has already seen three GOP state lawmakers, the former governor's chief of staff, and three others convicted on corruption charges.

Stevens was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of concealing $250,000 in home renovations and gifts from an oil services firm. Young, who faces a highly unusual election challenge from his party's lieutenant governor, has spent more than $1 million defending himself, though he has not been charged.

Yesterday, Stevens lost a bid to move his corruption trial from Washington to Alaska. Stevens is scheduled for trial next month on charges of lying about hundreds of thousands of dollars in home renovations and other services he received from an oil services contractor. Stevens asked that the case be moved to Alaska so that it would not slow down his reelection bid. After hearing arguments yesterday, US District Judge Emmet Sullivan declined.

Assuming Stevens makes it through the Republican primary, the court ruling could affect his ability to campaign during the weeks leading up to Election Day.

Many Republicans across the state have rallied to the politicians' defense, arguing that the state risks losing their proven ability to deliver billions of dollars in federal grants and projects for Alaska.

"This indictment thing? You go to Washington, D.C., and if anybody can throw the first stone, I'd like to meet them," said Judy Geraghty of Fairbanks, who attended Stevens's campaign rally.