Stevens concedes in Senate race

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens has conceded defeat in his re-election bid against Democrat Mark Begich.

The longest serving Republican in Senate history says in a statement that there are not enough ballots left to be counted for him to catch up and Begich has been elected.

Stevens says he's deeply grateful for his 40 years of service in the Senate.

The statement was released shortly after Begich told reporters on Tuesday that he hadn't heard from Stevens even though he's been congratulated by other Republicans, including Gov. Sarah Palin.

The 85-year-old Stevens lost his bid for a seventh term after he was convicted on federal corruption charges.