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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Sen. Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in Senate history, narrowly lost his re-election bid Tuesday, marking the downfall of a Washington political power and Alaska icon who couldn't survive a conviction on federal corruption charges.

His defeat, by 3,724 votes to Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, moves Senate Democrats within two seats of a filibuster-proof 60-vote majority.

Stevens' ouster on his 85th birthday marks an abrupt realignment in Alaska politics and will alter the power structure in the Senate, where he has served since the days of the Johnson administration while holding seats on some of the most influential committees.

The crotchety octogenarian likes to encourage comparisons with the Incredible Hulk, and he occupies an outsized place in Alaska history. His involvement in politics dates to the days before Alaska statehood, and he is esteemed for his ability to secure billions of dollars in federal aid.

Tuesday's tally of just over 24,000 absentee and other ballots gave Begich 150,728, or 47.76 percent, to 147,004, or 46.58 percent, for Stevens. A recount is possible.

Begich said the defining issue in the race was the desire for a new direction, not Stevens' legal problems.

Alaska voters "wanted to see change," he told reporters in Anchorage. "Alaska has been in the midst of a generational shift — you could see it."

Stevens' campaign didn't immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.

Last month, just days before the election, Stevens was convicted by a federal jury in Washington of lying on Senate disclosure forms to conceal more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations from an oil-field services company. His defeat could also allow Republican senators to sidestep the task of determining whether to kick out the longest-serving member of their party in the Senate.