ANCHORAGE — Alaska’s sole member of the House, Representative Don Young, narrowly won the Republican primary here, escaping with just 304 more votes than his nearest challenger after a prolonged vote count that finally ended late Wednesday.
Mr. Young defeated Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, who had been endorsed by Gov. Sarah Palin, by 48,195 to 47,891. Still, the Young campaign said even before the results were final that it expected Mr. Parnell to seek a recount, which could take more than a week to complete. The primary was Aug. 26, and the wait for results has reduced the time the Republican winner has to campaign against the Democrat in the race, Ethan Berkowitz.
Mr. Berkowitz, a former Democratic leader in the state House, has led Mr. Young by double digits in several state polls as Mr. Young has become involved in an expanding federal inquiry into Alaska politics and government.
The investigation, centered on lawmakers’ ties to executives from an oil services company, has led to the convictions of three state lawmakers, charges against several others and, in July, the indictment of Senator Ted Stevens. Mr. Young, who has served in the House since 1973, has not been charged............
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