Ethan Berkowitz conceded the U.S. House election in Alaska to incumbent and person of questionable integrity, U.S. Rep. Don Young.

Berkowitz posted this on his campaign site:

“I called Congressman Young and his wife, Lu, this afternoon to wish them well on what will be their 19th term in Congress,” said Berkowitz.

“I have been privileged to earn the support of so many Alaskans,” said Berkowitz, who received more votes than any Democratic candidate in state history, prior to this election.

“I’m proud we ran a race that elevated the quality and tone of a campaign, and one that focused on issues and values. Though the 2008 campaign has come to an end, the need to solve problems of high energy costs, affordable health care, and economic opportunity endures. I will continue to fight for Alaska and these goals into the future.”

Many pollsters didn’t think Berkowitz had much of a chance but the vote tally tells a different story. It looks as if the AIP may have been Berkowitz’s Nader.

141,754 votes for Berkowitz and 158,034 for Young. With the Alaskan Independence Party candidate, Don Wright, factored in, the vote breaks down this way: 50 percent for Young, 45 percent for Berkowitz, and 5 percent for Wright.