Unalaska, AK – Senator Ted Stevens was convicted today by a jury for seven counts of lying on his Senate disclosure forms about receiving a quarter of a million dollars in gifts from VECO CEO Bill Allen and others. Stevens says he will try to appeal the felony convictions and will still run for re-election. He's represented Alaska in the U.S. Senate since 1968, but some in Unalaska think the conviction may signal the end for the 84-year old republican senator.

"I doubt very much this time that he can actually be re-elected. If he would have been convicted on one or two charges [maybe] but to get convicted on all seven charges I think this ended his political career," said city council member Dick Peck. Peck said he is disappointed in the Senator and his actions.

Michelle Cochran agrees with the disappointment and says it will affect her vote. "I've voted for Ted Stevens in the past, even though I'm not typically a republican voter, but yes, this will definitely influence who I vote for. I won't be voting for Ted Stevens this time around."

But Mayor Shirley Marquardt still endorses the convicted senator 100%, respects him highly, and thinks he should be judged on his 40 years of service, not one trial.

"Of course, any jury, any court can turn any decision - I mean O.J. [Simpson] got off, what the heck? Things happen," she said. "So I think the people in the state are going to make their own decisions I think based on what they've seen of this man over the last 40 years not in just the past 3 weeks."

But community leaders Sharon Svarny-Livingston and Kristine King disagree. They said the jury did a good job.

"I was actually very, very pleased that the jury came back with a verdict of guilty because I feel that it's in the state's best interest that we ferret out people who have been doing things just a bit incorrectly," said Svarny-Livingston.

King agreed. "I think it's refreshing-you understand that it's not the good ol' boys any more. I think it's refreshing that people can go in and see facts, see evidence, make an informed decision and that someone is being held accountable for actions."

Stevens is only the fifth sitting senator ever convicted of a crime. If the appeals are not overturned, he will be sentenced early next year. If re-elected, only the Senate can choose to un-seat him. It is still unclear if, as a convicted felon, he is eligible to vote in the upcoming election.