Young Declared Winner In Alaska House Race

November 13, 2008 12:14 p.m. EST

Juneau, AK (AHN) - The AP has declared Rep. Don Young (R-AK) victorious in his bid for an 19th term.

Alaska is still counting absentee and questioned ballots cast in the U.S. House race. Young leads with 50.41percent, or 140,269 votes, while Democrat former state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz trails with 44.99 percent, or 125,184 votes, according to the latest results from the Alaska Division of Elections.

Young is currently being investigated by the FBI for his ties to the VECO public corruption controversy. Executives of the now-defunct oil services company allegedly held a fundraiser called "the Pig Roast" for the 75-year-old lawmaker in the past 10 years. VECO has admitted to bribing Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) and other Alaskan politicians.

The congressman has also been linked to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff. He is accused of being responsible for the $10 million earmark for Florida's Coconut Road, an earmark he reportedly added while chairing the House Transportation Committee and in exchange for a $41,000 contribution from a Florida real estate developer.