• Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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Alaska's Rep. Young defeats Palin ally in close primary race

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JUNEAU, Alaska — U.S. Rep. Don Young of Alaska, the state's only member of the House of Representatives for the past three decades, has won the Republican House primary, more than three weeks after election day.

In a close race only decided Wednesday with the count of about 350 outstanding absentee and questioned ballots from overseas, Young beat Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell by 304 votes.

The Parnell-Young race had become a test of whether Alaskans had grown tired of corruption allegations among Republican elected officials. Young has been under Justice Department investigation and has spent more than $1 million of his campaign war chest on attorneys to defend himself in the probe — though it's unclear what precisely he's being investigated for.

The taint, however, led Gov. Sarah Palin to quickly endorse Parnell when he announced earlier this year that he would challenge Young for his seat.

Parnell has said he may ask for a recount. Election officials have said a recount could take up to 10 days to complete.

Read the full story at adn.com.

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