Election/Election Integrity

Vulnerable House Dem Advances In Primary Alongside GOP Challengers

Photo of Alaska. (By Diego Delso, https://commons.wikimedia.org

Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola advanced in the open primary on Tuesday for Alaska’s only congressional seat alongside Republican challengers Nick Begich and Nancy Dahlstrom, The New York Times projected.

Peltola garnered 50.4% of the vote with Begich trailing at 27% and Dahlstrom bringing in 20% of the vote, according to the NYT. Peltola is one of the 29 “frontline members” with competitive seats the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee identified for the 2024 election cycle.

Alaska’s primary system known as ranked-choice voting was adopted in 2020 and allows voters to order candidates on the ballot based on their preference. By allowing candidates from all parties to compete on the same ballot, voters are given the choice of the top four candidates rather than one Republican and one Democratic nominee.

Because of this primary system, Peltola was able to defeat former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin by just 9% in 2022.

Peltola has recently faced scrutiny after she told reporters that she would be “keeping an open mind” about the November election and declining to immediately endorse Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race in July. After an onslaught of speculation, Pelota was forced to clarify that her lack of endorsement for Harris did not translate into support for former President Donald Trump.

“I’m not voting for Trump & I’m not endorsing anyone else either,” Peltola said in a post on X. “The media won’t allow us to engage in nuanced conversation because it doesn’t sell clicks. I won’t vote for a candidate who’s not pro-choice. I can’t ask Alaskans to vote for a candidate who’s not pro-energy.”

Peltola has campaigned on “supporting reproductive freedom” and “preserving choice,” LGBTQ rights as well as protecting the Alaskan environment, according to her website. Peltola has also emphasized that she “refuses to engage in partisan bickering” and vows to always “put Alaska first.”

Begich is a small business owner who has campaigned on American energy independence, prioritizing Alaskan industries and protecting crucial constitutional freedoms, according to his website. Begrich has also gained endorsements from notable Republican lawmakers like Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Florida Rep. Byron Donalds.

“With Alaskans feeling the pressure from rising costs, burdensome regulations, uncertainty in our future, and much more – there is a lot at stake in the 2024 election,” Begich said on his campaign site. “I am ready to boldly fight for the state I love, but I need your input to help guide our decisions. I will not be a Representative who forgets where they come from or who they represent. Together we will move our state and nation forward, giving new hope and opportunities for future generations.”

Dahlstrom has served as the lieutenant governor of Alaska since 2022 and has vowed to prioritize border security, to lower taxes and inflation as well as defending Alaskan energy, according to her website. Dahlstrom has been endorsed by Trump, Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy of Alaska and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

“The dysfunction gripping Washington has paralyzed our government, and Alaska is suffering the consequences,” Dahlstrom said on her campaign website.