'Bridge to Nowhere' sponsor survives primary challenge

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CNN) - Veteran Alaska Rep. Don Young, whose support for the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" made him a target of his own party's anti-pork crusaders, narrowly survived a Republican primary challenge Thursday when his opponent conceded defeat.

Young's challenger, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, fell just 304 votes short - out of more than 93,000 cast - of unseating the 18-term congressman. Parnell could have called for a recount, but said it would be unlikely to change the result.

Parnell was backed by Gov. Sarah Palin, now the Republican nominee for vice president. Though Palin was an early supporter of the Gravina Island bridge in Ketchikan that became dubbed the "Bridge to Nowhere" by critics, she and GOP presidential nominee John McCain have made attacks on earmarked spending projects like those Young was renowned for securing a centerpiece of their campaign.