Young wins Alaska House primary

JUNEAU, Alaska – Rep. Don Young, a 35-year veteran of the U.S. House who is under federal investigation, won the Republican primary battle over Alaska’s only House seat.

In a close race only decided Wednesday with the final counting of about 350 outstanding absentee and questioned ballots, Young beat Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell by 304 votes.

Young finished with 48,195 votes; Parnell had 47,891 votes. State election officials said they will certify the election today.

Parnell has previously said he will ask for a recount. Election officials have said a recount of the Aug. 26 vote could take up to 10 days to complete.

“We need to wait and see what the lieutenant governor does now. The move’s in his court. We’ll see where we go from here,” said Mike Anderson, Young’s campaign spokesman.

Parnell has trailed Young since primary night despite support from popular Gov. Sarah Palin, now the GOP vice presidential candidate, and the legal cloud over Young. The winner faces Democratic former state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz in the general election.

Young is under investigation for ties to oil field services company VECO Corp.