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Alaska GOP House Primary Still Up in the Air

http://elections.foxnews.com –

Nearly two weeks after the state’s lone congressman squared off against Sarah Palin’s lieutenant governor, no clear winner has emerged in Alaska’s Republican House primary.

At this stage of the counting, embattled Rep. Don Young is ahead by several hundred votes against Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell as counting continues of absentee ballots from the most desolate parts of the state as well as military ballots from overseas.

The Alaska Division of Elections says it will announce the result of the balloting by midweek, but regardless of who is declared the winner, either side is likely to contest the final outcome. Despite appeals, by either the Young or Parnell camps, the Division of Elections says it will wrap up the ballot counting by Sept. 18.

Parnell challenged Young following the launch of an FBI probe into the longtime at-large representative. This comes amid the indictment and upcoming trial of the state’s senior Sen. Ted Stevens.

Democrats are keeping their fingers crossed that Young hangs on and stands for re-election in November because he and Stevens are both seen as damaged goods, and Democrats say they think they can make political hay running against either lawmaker in a state that’s shown some signs of Democratic political life lately.

However, with the selection of Palin to join John McCain on the GOP presidential ticket, any Democratic gains at the congressional level could be neutralized. Palin has tried to distance herself from both members of Congress and has touted a reform-oriented agenda. Those energized by that message may still come out to vote for the McCain-Palin ticket in November but reject Stevens and Young, and end up putting a Democrat into those seats.

Alaska has not had a Democrat in Congress since early 1981. The Senate seat was held back then by former Democratic presidential hopeful Mike Gravel. Former Democratic state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz is running for the House seat. Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is running against Stevens.

FOX News’ Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

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