The approval ratings for veteran Sen. Ted Stevens (R) have taken a serious nose dive, according to a recent poll.

Forty-four percent of the 461 Anchorage voters surveyed July 1-7 told Ivan Moore Research, an independent pollster who has worked for Democratic candidates, that they had a negative view of the 83-year-old Senator. An equal percentage had at least a “somewhat” positive opinion of Stevens, while 11 percent had no opinion.

The poll, which had a 3.6-point margin of error, comes as a political corruption investigation in Alaska approaches its 11th month. The wide-ranging federal probe has reached Stevens and his son, former state Sen. Ben Stevens (R), though neither has been indicted.

National and state Democrats are trying to entice Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D) into challenging Stevens next year.
— Nicole Duran