By Rachel Kapochunas, CQ Staff

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich said Monday that he will seek the Democratic Senate nomination in Alaska, giving his party a serious challenger to incumbent GOP Sen. Ted Stevens .

Begich told supporters at a rally in Anchorage that he respects Stevens’ service, but believes a change in leadership is necessary for the state.

“Respectfully, what good is clout if it’s not used to solve everyday Alaskan problems?” Begich asked. “We have real challenges in Alaska and we truly need real, genuine change.”

Democrats strongly recruited Begich, son of Democratic Rep. Nick Begich, who was killed along with then-House Majority Leader Hale Boggs of Louisiana in 1972 when the campaign plane in which they were flying disappeared. As mayor of the state’s largest city, Begich is well-known to voters.

Begich announced Feb. 27 the formation of an exploratory committee, which allowed him to begin raising money.

Stevens, 84, has become an icon in Alaska politics since first winning his seat by appointment in December 1968. He is the longest-serving GOP senator.

But a state scandal involving oil services company Veco Corp. has tainted Stevens’ image and threatened his re-election. Three state lawmakers, two oil executives and a lobbyist already have been convicted in the investigation.

Stevens has denied wrongdoing but his home was raided in July 2007 by the FBI and the IRS, which was reportedly investigating whether Veco may have covered Stevens’ home renovation costs.

Alaskans typically vote Republican, but candidates in Alaska also must appeal to unaffiliated voters and third-party supporters who make up 60 percent of the registration rolls.

Due to the Veco scandal and the strong Democratic challenge, CQ Politics rates the Senate race Leans Republican.

Both candidates face primary challenges but are widely regarded as their party’s top candidate.

Stevens said Sunday he expects the race “will be about who has the experience, the seniority and the proven record to best serve Alaska in the U.S. Senate.”

Stevens noted both new and improved medical facilities in the state, state management of offshore fisheries, “improved airports, ports, highways and other transportation facilities, new water and sewer facilities,” in his statement as examples of the changes he’s helped create in the state of Alaska.