Alaska lieutenant governor considering challenge to Sen. Begich

Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell (R) is considering a run against Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), who is thought to be one of the more vulnerable Senate incumbents up for reelection.

Treadwell said at a mining and minerals conference that he was exploring a bid, according to the Alaska Dispatch. He's been seeking to shore up his conservative bona fides in recent months, and may not be the only Republican looking at running.

Begich won his first election over then-Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) in 2008 by fewer than 4,000 votes, and will likely face a tough race in the heavily Republican state, though he's worked hard to shore up support in the state.

President Obama has improved his standing in Alaska, however, a good sign for the freshman Democratic senator. Obama won 41 percent of the vote in the state this year, up from 38 percent in 2008, when then-Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) was on the ballot.

This post was updated at 11:35 a.m.