Ted Stevens has been active in politics since before Alaska was a state. Apparently in addition to all the pork barrel spending, he’s been very good at helping his constituents out.
Most land Alaska is owned by the federal government and controlled by the department of interior. Remembering that alaska is filled with people who don’t like being around people, don’t like government and want to live off the land, etc. and there are lot’s of run-ins with the federal government over land use, hunting, etc. Uncle Ted, as he is called, get’s the government off people’s backs, they tell their friends/neighbors and Uncle Ted is their man. Now, them liberals in Washington are telling them who can be their senator.
Remember in Lousiana where the governor went to prison, got out and won election again?