Scandal on the Congressional Campaign Trail: Who Survived?

Sex scandals and investigations had some fighting for their political lives.

ByABC News
November 5, 2008, 1:38 PM

November 5, 2008— -- Scandal took its toll on members across both sides of the aisle in the 2008 election.

Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.)

Florida Democrat Mahoney, 52, lost his seat to the Republican challenger, attorney Tom Rooney, 37.

The loss followed a report by The Blotter on ABCNews.com last month that the congressman had secretly paid a former mistress $120,000 to prevent a sexual harassment lawsuit and helped another county official with whom he was having an affair win a federal grant for her agency. He is now under investigation by the FBI and though Mahoney admitted to having "multiple affairs," he said he has broken no laws.

(Click here to watch Rep. Mahoney's admission.)

Though Mahoney dropped out of the long-planned debate with Rooney, he stayed in the race until the end. Then, around 10pm last night, Mahoney released a statement congratulating Rooney, who won by a landslide 60 percent.

"It has been an honor to represent Florida's 16th District," the statement read. "I am proud of all that we have accomplished together...I can only hope that what we have achieved over the past two years leaves a lasting impact on this wonderful community."

Mahoney's ascension to the 16th congressional district -- which spans from West Palm Beach across to the west coast of Florida -- was an unlikely victory to begin with. The former businessman, who campaign on a platform of "faith, family and personal responsibility," won narrowly and only after Republican incumbent Mark Foley resigned following revelations that he had sent lewd instant messages to teenage congressional pages.

Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska)

Alaskans appeared ready to send the Republican Stevens back to the Senate, despite his fresh criminal record. A jury convicted Stevens in late October on seven felony counts stemming from a probe of gifts from an oil services firm which he received but did not report. He is appealing the verdict, citing prosecutorial misconduct.

Stevens, the longest-serving member of the Senate, enjoyed strong poll numbers up to his guilty verdict. But as the votes came in last night, it appeared he had a winning edge.

If Stevens wins, he will be the first convicted felon to be elected to the U.S. Senate.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska)

Alaskans also look poised to return Young, also Republican, to Congress, heedless of two reported FBI probes into his dealings . Young has spent over $1 million from his campaign contributions on lawyers, while he fights investigations into unreimbursed campaign expenses paid for by oil services firm VECO, and into an earmark he championed which benefited a Florida supporter. Young has denied wrongdoing in both matters.

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY)

Embattled Rep. Rangel will serve a 20th term after winning the 15th district of New York with a resounding 87 percent of the vote.