Electoral history of Ted Stevens, United States Senator from Alaska (1968-2009), Senate Minority Whip (1977-1981), Senate Majority Whip (1981-1985), President pro tempore of the United States Senate (2003-2007) and President pro tempore emeritus (2007-2009) At time of his 2008 defeat, Stevens was the 4th longest-serving Senator as well as most senior Republican in this body.