The uphill nature of this year's Congressional elections got even worse for Republicans on Tuesday, as a seven count criminal indictment was unsealed against Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.

Stevens has been under investigation in a corruption probe in Alaska that has also touched his son, a former state legislator.  Both men have strongly denied any wrongdoing.

But the indictment immediately made many on Capitol Hill wonder whether Democrats will soon have that Alaska seat in their caucus.  One group that rates Congressional elections, CQ Magazine, quickly shifted their view of the race from one that "Leans Republican," to a race that "Leans Democrat."

Even before these charges were leveled at the senior Senator from Alaska, the news from his re-election bid was not encouraging.

The latest polls have Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich as many as nine points ahead of Stevens, an unthinkable deficit for a powerful political figure who has served in the Senate for almost 40 years.

Just a few years ago, Stevens was third in line for the Presidency as the President Pro Tem of the Senate.  He has been Chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, and for years, someone that most Senators did not want to tangle with.

I found that out when I first started reporting on Capitol Hill in the 1980s.  I did some work for Alaska Public Radio, covering the state's delegation, and issues like ANWR.

One time I was in his Senate office participating in a small roundtable with reporters.  When it was my question, I asked Stevens why he had shifted his stance on something related to ANWR.

He was not pleased with my question and it showed.

Stevens pounded on the desk, yelling that my question was all wrong.  He then proceeded to drill that home in an angry outburst that seemed to last a few minutes.

That's sort of his standard operating procedure, one reason why some won't be shedding too many tears for the Alaska Republican.

(I clearly remember thinking to myself at the time, "Go ahead and yell, you aren't going to push me around.")

Stevens likes to wear an "Incredible Hulk" tie on days when he really needs to force Senators to follow his lead on Appropriations bills.

He may need more than that to deal with this seven count indictment.

Stevens may not be the only shoe to drop in Alaska politics, as Congressman Don Young - another lawmaker with a well known temper - is also under investigation for taking excessive campaign contributions and more.

"It saddens me to learn that these charges have been brought against me. I have never knowingly submitted a false disclosure form required by law as a U.S. Senator," Stevens said in a written statement.

"The impact of these charges on my family disturbs me greatly.  I am innocent of these charges and intend to prove that," said the Alaska Republican.

There probably isn't enough time to do that before the November elections.