Happy Birthday, Ted Stevens! AP Calls AK SEN for Begich

Senate Dems came one seat closer to "60" tonight as the AP called AK SEN for Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D). Begich defeated Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest serving GOPer in U.S. history, who was convicted in 10/08 on seven counts of corruption.

Stevens trailed Begich by 3,724 votes after today's count. That's an insurmountable lead with only about 2,500 overseas ballots left to be counted, according to the AP. Stevens also said he won't ask Pres. Bush for a pardon.

Senate Dems now hold 58 seats; they have picked up 7 seats since 11/4. In a statement, DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer (NY) said Begich “will be an outstanding Senator for Alaska and the country. And with seven seats and counting now added to the Democratic ranks in the Senate, we have an even stronger majority that will bring real change to America.”

Today, btw, is Stevens' birthday. He turned 85.