Poll Shows Stevens, Young Facing Uphill Battle

A pair of ethically-embattled GOP lawmakers from Alaska are finding themselves viewed unfavorably by a growing number of the state’s voters, according to a newly-conducted poll from Hays Research Group.

Only 44 percent of Alaska voters said they approved of Sen. Ted Stevens’ (R-Alaska) performance in office, while 38 percent disapprove. Stevens has been a stalwart in Alaska politics since first elected in 1968, and the six-point net approval rating is one of his lowest levels of support since first elected.

Stevens has faced little re-election difficulties since first elected, never winning less than 66 percent of the vote. But he has been implicated in a cash-for-favors scandal involving oil services-giant VECO Corp. executive Bill Allen, and his support has declined since then. He has denied any wrongdoing.

No Democrat has yet stepped forward to challenge Stevens, but the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has met with Anchorage mayor Mark Begich, who they view as a top recruit.

Meanwhile, a near-majority of voters said they have a negative opinion of Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), who has held the state’s at-large House seat since 1973. He was viewed favorably by only 34 percent of respondents, while 48 percent disapproved of him.

Young is under investigation by the Justice Department over his ties to VECO Corp. and has spent much of his campaign funds on legal fees over the last several months. He also has denied any wrongdoing.