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Young poised to retain House seat

by Channel 2 News staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2008

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Congressman Don Young defied the pre-election polls and has a significant lead on Democrat Ethan Berkowitz in the race for Alaska's lone seat in the U.S. House.

With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Young has 52 percent, and Berkowitz trails with 44 percent. The spread is nearly 17,000 votes.

Young said the election results are an example of why he doesn't believe pollsters. He also said that he's destined to continue representing Alaska.

"If I was to lose, it was never about me, nor my wife -- it was about the state of Alaska," Young said. "The lord takes care of me, and it would be another chapter if he wished me to do so. Apparently he wishes me to be here to do the job for the state."

But Berkowitz says he's not throwing in the towel.

"Regardless, we ran a great campaign," he said. "We focused on the issues, we showed Alaska a new kind of way of doing politics. I'm proud of what we did."

When a reporter asked in he was ready to concede, Berkowitz said he would not.

"Concede?" he said. "Hell no! Hell no!"

Young says he can protects Alaska's interests in Washington, D.C., despite the Democrats now having control of the White House and Congress.

Alaska needs to change with the rest of the nation, Berkowitz said, or face being left behind.