Washington, D.C. ? Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens pleaded not guilty to corruption charges Thursday and received an unusually speedy trial date, which he hopes will clear his name before voters consider re-electing him in November.

Stevens said the tentative Sept. 24 trial date set by U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan “should allow ample time for a decision before the general election” in November.

“I am looking forward to this trial as a way of finally showing the truth – that I’m innocent,” the 40-year Senate veteran said in a written statement Thursday evening.

Stevens, the Senate’s longest-serving Republican, faces a tough re-election fight and made it clear Thursday that he does not want his seven-count indictment getting in the way.