THE seemingly endless race for Alaska's Senate seat is finally over. Last week, when Alaskan election workers started counting early and absentee ballots, the picture improved for Mark Begich (the Democratic mayor of Anchorage, the state's metropolis) and darker for Ted Stevens, the Republican incumbent, who has held the seat since Lyndon Johnson was president. What was a lead for Mr Stevens is now a 2,374-vote lead for Mr Begich.
Mr Stevens spent the day—his 85th birthday—not knowing whether he'd be kicked out of the Senate by voters or by the Senate itself. Republicans had promised to obey their bylaws and purge Mr Stevens from their caucus today. But the vote was delayed indefinitely as it became clear that Stevens might simply lose re-election. "I wouldn't wish what I'm going through on anyone, my worst enemy," he said. "I haven't had a night's sleep for almost four months."
The defeat for Mr Stevens takes the Democrats to 58 Senate seats, to 40 for the Republicans. Seats in Minnesota and Georgia are still outstanding. And it would slam shut a door to the Senate for Sarah Palin, who would have had the right to appoint a Stevens replacement if he resigned. It also makes the decision to keep Joe Lieberman in the Democratic caucus look more sensible than it did twelve hours ago.
A recount is possible. But since Mr Begich's lead is above 0.5 percent, Mr Stevens would have to pay for it, and explain why it is justified. And there would still be the small matter of overturning his felony conviction on appeal.