Republican candidate Nick Begich has emerged victorious in Alaska’s fiercely contested U.S. House race, defeating incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. This win is particularly noteworthy as it flips the seat back to the Republicans, marking the end of Peltola’s brief tenure, which began following her special election victory after the passing of longtime Republican Rep. Don Young. Young held the seat for nearly 50 years, making Begich’s win all the more significant.
The Associated Press announced Begich's victory shortly after 9 p.m. ET on November 5, with results showing he garnered 51.3 percent of the vote after two rounds of ranked-choice tabulations. Peltola trailed with 48.7 percent. The introductory round revealed Begich led with 48.4 percent of first-choice votes, establishing his dominance before the ranked-choice process pushed him over the finish line.
Both candidates were aware of the stakes involved, as the race not only defined Alaskan politics but also played a role in the broader national narrative heading toward the 2024 elections.
Reflecting on her time in office, Peltola, who made history as the first Alaska Native woman elected to Congress, stated, "Serving as Alaska’s congresswoman has been the honor of my life." She emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among Alaskans, stating, "No one in the Lower 48 is coming to save us; it’s up to us to build our future." She extended her well wishes to Begich, encouraging him to keep the needs of all Alaskans at the forefront.
Begich’s path to victory was not without its challenges. Earlier this year, he participated in Alaska’s all-party primary election, where he faced off against prominent Republican candidates, including Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom. Amidst concerns over vote splitting, Dahlstrom eventually withdrew her candidacy and endorsed Begich, which allowed him to consolidate support as the sole Republican on the general election ballot.
Throughout the race, Begich relentlessly focused on core issues such as enhancing energy security, protecting the Second Amendment rights, and ensuring healthcare affordability—topics he passionately cited during his debates with Peltola. His campaign also attracted the backing of former President Donald Trump, who described Begich as "an incredible fighter" who would work closely with him to advance Republican priorities. This endorsement was pivotal, especially considering criticisms Trump had directed toward Begich during the 2022 campaign.
With Begich taking office, he now faces the task of addressing both local and national issues, including unemployment and the unique challenges faced by Alaskans, from economic development to resource management. He has committed to advocating for Alaskan jobs and economy, aiming to amplify their voices within the Democratic-majority Congress.
The 2024 election results were particularly influenced by Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to rank candidates based on preference. This method, which was first utilized during the 2022 elections, aims to promote broader candidate representation and mitigate the impact of vote splitting among similar candidates.
Despite her loss, Peltola's contributions to Alaskan issues during her tenure were acknowledged, and she expressed gratitude for her staff and supporters, emphasizing collaboration as key to Alaskan success moving forward.
Nick Begich, historically connected to the political fabric of Alaska—his grandfather also served as a congressman and his uncle held a Senate seat—now carries the weight of this legacy as he prepares to navigate the complex political waters of Washington, D.C., advocating for his constituents and fulfilling the promise of this newfound mandate.
His campaign strategy hinged on framing Peltola as ineffective on resource issues related to the Biden administration’s policies, allowing him to gather momentum among voters concerned with local economic opportunities tied to federal decisions.
Overall, this election not only shifts the balance of power within Alaska’s representation but also adds another layer to the overarching battle for control within the House of Representatives as Republicans seek to solidify their majority. Alaska’s unique electoral dynamics, combined with its historical significance and diverse constituency, continue to play a fundamental role as the nation moves forward.
