By AlaskaWatchman.com

Eleven days after election day, Nick Begich claimed victory over incumbent U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola in a closely contested battle for Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House.

On Nov. 16, Begich released a statement noting that the nationally respected election analysis group Decision Desk HQ had called the race in his favor.

“This victory belongs to the people of Alaska,” Begich said. “Our state has immense potential, and now is the time to responsibly unlock the resources that make Alaska a cornerstone of America’s path to prosperity.”

Begich currently enjoys a slight lead in his bid to unseat Peltola, but there are still several thousand more votes to be tallied. As of Nov. 18, Begich is ahead 48.72% to 46.1%, but the Division of Elections will continue to count incoming mail-in ballots until Nov. 20, so long as they were postmarked by Nov. 5.

It is all but certain the race will be decided by ranked-choice runoff since neither candidate is likely to earn more than 50% of the vote. The runoff, however, should favor Begich when the second-choice place votes from Democrat candidate Eric Hafner and Alaskan Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe are tallied. Hafner has about 1% of the overall vote. Even if all his second-place votes favored Peltola, that would only give her 47% of the overall vote. Howe’s second place votes, however, should strongly favor Begich given that the AIP is a more conservative-minded party. Since Howe won about 4% of the vote, Begich would only need to win half of those second-place rankings in order to win the election.

In his Nov. 16 statement, Begich said he looks forward to advancing policies that respect Alaska’s unique heritage, prioritize responsible development, and ensure lasting opportunities for future generations.

“Our path forward starts with a unified understanding of what Alaska can do for our nation,” Begich said. “Together, we will deliver results for Alaska, creating long-term jobs, protecting our way of life, and playing our part to put America back on track. Alaska’s resources are not just a blessing for the people of our state – they are vital to the strength and independence of our entire nation.”

Begich emphasized his commitment to being a voice for all Alaskans, working to strengthen the state’s economy, support families, and lead on issues of national importance.

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Begich claims victory, but Peltola refuses to concede AK’s U.S. House race



10 Comments

  • Neil DeWitt says:

    Mary’s biggest problem was, she forgot about the Republicans in the state of Alaska. In the position she was in you can’t just wear blinders and help only one side. You are a state representative and you need to help all the people! Mary lost site of that one very important thing being in that seat. Mary was great if you were a Democrat but Republicans suffered and now have spoken and removed her. Maybe in time as always people will forget and she can run again. Remember Senator Steven’s? he should have been run out of Alaska but because of who his dad was got backseat out to Kodiak for a few years as people forgot who or what he did and now he’s where in Juneau? It was shocking the corruption in this state anymore!

    • Steve Peterson says:

      Actually, she wasn’t much good for most rural/bush dwellers either, and they mostly vote “D”. Her policies were detrimental to Alaska’s economy; for instance, she was party to higher energy prices which hurt everyone in the state. Amazingly enough, even Bethel didn’t turn out for her.

  • Elizabeth Henry says:

    Of course she isn’t conceding. She has been promised by her ‘handlers’ it will all be taken care of. She is counting on the same ballot alterations now propping up the No on 2.

  • Charlotte says:

    Reuters says 218-212, R’s win the house. How many states have counted and counted and counted , until they could say the D is the winner? I suppose these states don’t realize they and their results are being watched and they will be exposed and arrested for their crimes. Alaska voted for Trump and I seriously doubt they’d move down the ballot and vote for Peltola vs Begich for House. But I guess the voters are too dumb to notice? Don’t think so.
    Peltola may be following orders but to what end? Trump won it all. She isn’t going to help D’s in any way. They made a huge mess after Biden stole 2020 and he’s now trying to start WWIII as his exit gift for incoming Trump. And the Biden’s voted for Trump. Did you see the red dress Jill wore on Nov 5? No, Mary’s all done and so is her losing party. She can’t stop the Trump train and, if anything, it will be proven that 218 is low, Harris couldn’t possibly have won so many votes. The worst candidate ever opposite the best ever. D’s are desperate to get a win here. John Thune (RINO) won the Senate vote for Speaker, and Trump didn’t let that stop him. He used the recess vote (stepping in during Senate recess) to confirm the much disliked Matt Gaetz for AG. The recess vote has never been used and it’s constitutional. It threw the Thune Nephilim for a loop! But he swears he’ll push the Trump agenda. Yeah, Thune, sure you will. We know how much the beloved Murkowski likes Matt. There’s a reason she’s voicing dismay, but too late, Murky. Maybe you know what he has on you. There’s still 436,000 indictments yet to be served. Maybe one is for you. You’re such a great senator that you need RCV to win. Trump never forgets.

  • Jon and Ruth Ewig says:

    We can tell that cheating is going on in the Begich race and the repeal ranked choice ballot measure. How can a result hold steady since election day, and then reverse drastically 13 days later? Where is the accountability in the villages? We cannot watch them count. There needs to be a bill written to not give so many counting days after the election where cheating can occur. We are watching the numbers. We also have heard that Murkowski is attempting to throw her weight around along with RINO dictator Mitch McConnell, Susan Collins of Maine, and Thom Tillis of NC in an attempt to block the Trump’s cabinet picks. They are going to oppose Robert Kennedy, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz. We think Trump will get his picks and these four or five senators will not get to block them. We have a crooked election system up here with not enough accountability. We need to be challenging these votes. Keep praying.

  • Doc says:

    Murkowski is a turn coat, and worthless as an Alaskan.

  • Davesmaxwell says:

    hey dunleavy, where are you? let’s see, which dress is he hiding under this morning? DAMBOSKIS, DOWNINGS, ALLARDS, OR maybe HES IN THE PORCARO HOUSEHOLD HIDING UNDER MRS PEES DRESS.Anyway if anyone sees him please let him know that his incompetency is spilling out all over and is polluting the highways and byways!

  • Homeschoolers Told You So says:

    While we are all relieved and thank God for the massive sweep on November 5th, we still have a long way to go in this state to cleanse the corruption and treason. Starting with the fraudulent election practices. When long counts ONLY benefit democrats 100% of the time across the entire US, only a communist or sycophant would not see the scheme. The effects of these elections lead to a whole culture of corruption throughout every level of government. Case in point, the Anchorage Assembly has broken more state and federal laws than can be counted, and a weak AG and governor and Lt Govenor continue to encourage these behaviors by inaction and cowardice. Points to restore constitutional justice in the next 2-4 years.
    1. If RCV survives, we will form a citizens group and take it all the way to the Supreme Court since we have a corrupt judiciary.
    2. In 2026 PRIMARY DAN SULLIVAN….again….PRIMARY OUT DAN SULLIVAN!!!
    3. In 2029, PRIMARY OUT MURKOWSKI (Unless her crimes catch up with her first and she goes to prison as she deserves).
    3. Pick a MAGA governor, not a shadow of a man like Dunleavy…who epitomizes the phrase, “For evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing,” Edmund Burke.
    4. PUNISH EVERY single person involved with election fraud. Once exposed, it will give us teeth to get rid of RCV.
    Hopefully, the culture will change, and Anchorage citizens will get off their lazy arses and fix the Assembly; they are impacting the rest of us very negatively.
    Make criminals fear justice again.