ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Alaska Republican Party on Tuesday found itself in the awkward position of urging voters to return a convicted felon to the U.S. Senate.

The party is pushing for the re-election of Sen. Ted Stevens, who was convicted on Monday of seven felony counts but continues his campaign for a seventh full term, in the hope that his re-election will allow Republicans to hold onto his seat even if Stevens eventually resigns.

Under that chain of events, a special election would be held later to replace Stevens, giving the party the chance to find a new candidate and keep the seat out of Democratic hands.

After he was indicted in July on seven counts of failing to report more than $250,000 in gifts and home renovations, Stevens requested a speedy trial, saying he wanted a verdict before Election Day.

Instead Stevens’ decision to stay in the race and seek a speedy trial, and his state party’s decision to support him in those efforts, have put both the senator and the party on treacherous terrain a week before voters choose between him and a strong Democratic challenger, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

In Washington, Republican leaders have abandoned Stevens. Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, called Tuesday for him to resign, as did vice presidential running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, whose relationship with Stevens is not close.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Gordon Smith says Ted Stevens should resign after he was convicted on seven counts of trying to hide more than $250,000 in free home renovations and other gifts from a wealthy oil contractor.

Stevens is asking his Senate colleagues as well as Alaska’s voters to stand by as he appeals.

But Smith said Tuesday that his fellow Republican should step aside immediately and allow the state to elect someone else.

Smith’s comments came as a growing chorus of Republicans called for Stevens to resign.

— The Associated Press