State legislator to give Rep. Don Young another battle

Alaska state Rep. Harry Crawford (D) will challenge Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) in 2010, giving the embattled incumbent his second-straight quality opponent.

“It’s time for our state to have a member of Congress who offers fresh ideas backed by new energy and enthusiasm,” Crawford said in a statement. “Whether it’s strengthening our economy … or getting Alaska’s energy resources to market, I’m committed to finding solutions that make sense for Alaska.”

Young has already announced his reelection bid. He narrowly defeated now-Gov. Sean Parnell (R) and former state Rep. Ethan Berkowitz (D) last year in the primary and general elections, respectively. But ethical issues continue to dog him, and he saw longtime Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) go down alongside him last year thanks to similar issues.

Crawford has met with leaders from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). And he is a giant-killer; he won his seat in the state legislature in 2000, when he defeated powerful Republican leader Ramona Barnes by less than 100 votes.