Begich win in Alaska marks another pro-choice pick up!

RH Reality Check blog reports:

Anti-Choice Sen. Ted Stevens Loses Seat
Anti-choice Alaska Senator Ted Stevens has lost his re-election race to Anchorage mayor Paul Begich, a pro-choice Democrat endorsed by NARAL Pro-Choice America. The Democrats are now two seats shy of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Writes Politico, "Begich defeated the Senate giant by a 3,724-vote margin after absentee and early votes were counted, a stunning end to a 40-year Senate career marred by Stevens' conviction on corruption charges a week before the election."

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said:

"Voters want leaders like Mark Begich who will defend women's reproductive freedom while uniting behind commonsense, common-ground proposals, like better access to birth control, that would prevent unintended pregnancies and thus reduce the need for abortion. We look forward to working with Begich to stand up for the pro-choice values that Alaskans support."

I always love a good pro-choice pick-up to get me through the mid-week blues...

UPDATE: Via NPR Politics... Stevens conceeds! Full statement:

Senator Stevens' Statement on Recent Vote Tallies

ANCHORAGE, AK -- Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today released the following statement regarding his campaign and the most recent vote tallies in Alaska:

"Given the number of ballots that remain to be counted, it is apparent the election has been decided and Mayor Begich has been elected.

"My family and I wish to thank the thousands of Alaskans who stood by us and who supported my re-election. It was a tough fight that would not have been possible without the help of so many Alaskans -- people who I am honored to call my friends. I will always remember their thoughts, prayers, and encouragement.

"I am proud of the campaign we ran and regret that the outcome was not what we had hoped for. I am deeply grateful to Alaskans for allowing me to serve them for 40 years in the U.S. Senate. It has been the greatest honor of my life to work with Alaskans of all political persuasions to make this state that we all love a better place.

"I wish Mayor Begich and his family well. My staff and I stand willing to help him prepare for his new position."