Stevens files for 2014; aide claims technicality

Former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) has filed paperwork to be a candidate in the 2014 senate race. An aide, however, told the Associated Press that the paperwork is necessary for Stevens to accept contributions that came in after the Nov. 4 election.

Spokesman Tim McKeever said that FEC regulations require that all contributions received after an election must be counted toward a future race. It’s possible that Stevens wants to use such contributions to pay down debt from his campaign, but it’s also plausible he wants to keep some cash saved away for a potential rematch.

Stevens lost to Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) eight days after being convicted of lying on federal disclosure forms. The charges have since been withdrawn due to prosecutorial misconduct.