Crawford, who represents a part of Anchorage, recently made a trip to Washington, D.C., to meet with Democratic officials about the race, according to one knowledgeable source.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee targeted Young’s seat for the first time in several decades in 2008, but the Congressman pulled out a victory and defeated former state House Minority Leader Ethan Berkowitz (D). Berkowitz may run for governor in 2010.