Alaska Democrats Back Bill Hill After He Won 32% in House Primary
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 31
Alaska Democrats Back Bill Hill After He Won 32% in House Primary
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 31
Summary
Bill Hill, a Dena’ina Athabascan fisherman running as an independent, is being urged by Alaska Democrats as their best shot at unseating Rep. Nick Begich in the state’s lone House race.
32% of the Aug. 18 primary vote went to Hill, trailing Begich’s 44% under Alaska’s top-four system; party chair Eric Croft said a formal endorsement will hinge on Hill’s positions on abortion, unions and ICE funding.
Matt Schultz, a progressive clergyman who finished third, suspended his campaign in July and endorsed Hill, while fourth-place finisher Eric Hafner is in federal prison and is viewed by Democrats as a spoiler.
The consolidation extends statewide: Democrats also rallied behind Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins for governor after Tom Begich dropped out, while national Democrats have so far offered Hill only verbal support.
Alaska backed Donald Trump by more than 13 points in 2024, but Democrats see an opening with former House member Mary Peltola leading their Senate ticket after twice winning the statewide House seat in 2022.