Mark Begich

Ted Stevens, the beleaguered 85-year-old Republican Senator from Alaska, has been indicted on seven counts of making false statements, according to news reports. A Justice Department press conference is set to begin in a few minutes.

This obviously complicates his re-election bid, which has been on shaky ground since his home was raided by the F.B.I. and the I.R.S. a year ago–part of an ongoing investigation into Stevens' ties to an oil executive who has been implicated in bribing several Alaska politicians. Stevens is facing a challenge from Mark Begich, the former mayor of Anchorage, who has pulled ahead in some recent polls–a rare feat for a Democrat in one of the reddest states in the country.  read more »

Here’s the invitation for tonight’s fund-raiser at the Park Avenue home of major Democratic donor Morris Pearl. The money is going to the campaign of Anchorage mayor Mark Begich, who is running for Senate.

The event is organized by progressive activist and fund-raiser Lewis Cohen, and headlined by City Councilman John Liu.

Liu’s featured spot on the invitation is notable, since he’s term-limited in 2009 and eyeing an unspecified citywide race. Putting him inside the home of Pearl -- who has contributed a few times to mayoral and public advocate candidates -- can’t hurt Liu’s own fund-raising efforts.