Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom withdrew from the U.S. House race following her third-place finish in the state's primary election.
According to AP News, Dahlstrom, who had received backing from former President Donald Trump, decided to end her campaign on Friday.
The primary results positioned Democratic Representative Mary Peltola in the lead, followed by Republican Nick Begich. Dahlstrom's withdrawal leaves Begich as the main Republican challenger to Peltola, who made history as the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress.
Alaska's unique open primary system allows voters to select one candidate. The top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the ranked-choice general election. The early results showed Peltola leading, followed by Begich and Dahlstrom.
With Dahlstrom's exit, the race dynamics have shifted significantly. The Republican party now looks to Begich to potentially reclaim the seat long held by Republican U.S. Rep. Don Young for 49 years before his passing in 2022.
Dahlstrom's campaign released a statement explaining her decision to withdraw:
I entered this race because Alaskans deserve better representation than what we have received from Mary Peltola in Washington. At this time, the best thing I can do to see that goal realized is to withdraw my name from the general election ballot and end my campaign.
The National Republican Congressional Committee, which had initially supported Dahlstrom, has now shifted its support to Begich. Committee chairman Richard Hudson expressed gratitude for Dahlstrom's service and praised her decision as selfless, stating it allows voters to unite behind a single Republican candidate.
Begich, who unsuccessfully ran for the seat in 2022, had garnered support from several local Republican groups. He took to social media to acknowledge Dahlstrom's campaign and emphasize the party's unified goal of replacing Peltola.
The Republican challenger stated:
Today we move forward unified in the effort to replace Mary Peltola, who has proven by her alignment with the left that she is not the moderate she claimed to be.
With the general election set for November 5, the race is expected to be highly competitive. Peltola's campaign manager, Elisa Rios, highlighted the incumbent's strong performance in the primary, where she received over 50% of the vote.
The Peltola campaign expressed confidence in the congresswoman's accomplishments during her term and believes voters will support her again in November. However, the Republican party is mobilizing to present a strong challenge and reclaim the seat.
As the race moves forward, it remains to be seen how the withdrawal of Dahlstrom will impact voter preferences and campaign strategies. The coming weeks will likely see intensified efforts from both parties to secure support in what promises to be a closely watched contest.
In conclusion, Nancy Dahlstrom's withdrawal from the Alaska U.S. House race has reshaped the political landscape. The primary results have set the stage for a showdown between Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola and Republican challenger Nick Begich. As the general election approaches, both parties are gearing up for a competitive race that will determine Alaska's representation in Congress.
