How To Use This Guide

1. Pick the issues you care about. Rank the two or three that matter most to you.
2. Find which office handles them. The U.S. House and U.S. Senate write federal law and set the federal budget. Ballot Measures 2 and 3 would change state election law.
3. Compare the candidates. Read where each candidate stands on your top issues, then read the candidates’ own words and who funds each campaign.
4. Rank your choices. Alaska’s general election uses ranked choice voting, explained in Before You Go.

The U.S. House Race

What This Office Does

U.S. House members serve two-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. All bills that raise taxes must start in the House. Alaska has one House seat, so the winner represents the whole state. At the candidates’ televised debate, the questions centered on fuel prices in rural Alaska, health insurance costs, tariffs, fisheries and the war in Iran. ​

Candidates In Brief

Republican Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK), first elected in 2024, is seeking a second term. Begich, 48, was born in Anchorage, lives in Chugiak and founded the technology companies FarShore Partners and Dashfire, according to Begich’s statement in the Alaska Division of Elections official election pamphlet. Begich won the Tuesday, Aug. 18 top four primary with 44.6% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia’s race overview.

Bill Hill, an independent, is a commercial fisherman, small business owner and retired educator from Naknek. Hill served as superintendent of the Bristol Bay Borough School District and was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023, according to Hill’s answers to the Alaska Beacon’s U.S. House voter guide. Hill finished second in the primary with 32.5%.

Democrat Eric Hafner, 35, is in federal prison for threatening federal officials and is not expected to be released until 2036, according to the Alaska Beacon’s report on the campaign against Hafner. Hafner has never lived in Alaska. The U.S. Constitution requires House members to live in the state they represent when elected, so Hafner would be ineligible to serve. Hafner received 3.8% in the primary and is polling in the high single digits, near the margin between Begich and Hill, the Beacon reports.

Libertarian James C. McDermott, 68, is a Fairbanks writer who served 22 and a half years in the U.S. Air Force. McDermott received 1.2% in the primary. McDermott advanced after four higher finishers withdrew: Democrats Matt Schultz, John Williams and Yaquelin Reynoso and Republican Clay Strickland, according to Alaska Public Media’s report on the general election field.

Where They Stand

Cost of living and energy. Begich says the focus is on “unlocking Alaska’s resources, lowering costs for working families.” At the debate, Begich pointed to lease sales in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with “70% of revenues now coming to the state of Alaska from those lease sales,” according to Alaska’s News Source’s House debate coverage. Begich says more production also “helps to reduce the pressure that’s being applied to us down in Juneau for an income tax or a statewide sales tax.” Hill says gas in Naknek jumped “from $6.70 a gallon to nearly $9 a gallon” and that heating fuel “doubled this year,” and ties the increase to the war in Iran.

Health care. Hill opposes ending the enhanced Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits and says “it’s unconscionable to cut people off from healthcare while you’re coming up with a solution,” according to Alaska Public Media’s debate coverage. Begich calls the ACA fraud-ridden but supports “extending support for people who need it” and cites “over $1 billion over the next five years” for rural Alaska health care.

Tariffs. Begich backs the administration’s tariffs and says “for far too long, American workers have been at a disadvantage.” Hill says tariffs “rolled out in a haphazard manner” become “a tax on the American and the Alaskan people.”

Iran. Begich defended the war in Iran at the Wednesday, Oct. 14 debate, according to the Anchorage Daily News’ House debate story. Hill says the war is driving up costs for rural Alaskans and criticizes Begich’s votes for the war, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the administration’s tariffs.

Fisheries. Hill says “out-of-state factory trawlers are catching and discarding tens of thousands of salmon a year,” supports a full ban on trawling and wants a tribal seat on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council.

Ethics and party ties. Hill would ban members of Congress from trading stocks and limit money in elections. Hill has not said which party Hill would caucus with if elected.

Alaska’s election system. Begich opposes Alaska’s open primary and ranked choice voting system, which Measure 2 would repeal.

In Their Own Words

Nick Begich III, in Begich’s official election pamphlet statement:

“Nick Begich went to Washington to fight for Alaska, not to become part of the failed system.”

Bill Hill, at a campaign stop in Juneau on Thursday, Oct. 29, per the Alaska Beacon:

“We need somebody who understands what the cost of fuel is doing to Alaskans, the loss of health care.”

Eric Hafner, in the Alaska Beacon questionnaire:

“Healthcare and food are human rights.”

James C. McDermott, in the Alaska Beacon questionnaire, on work requirements for aid programs:

“I like the idea of able mind and body individuals working at least part time.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Begich and Hill met in Debate for the State on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Alaska Public Media, KTOO and Alaska’s News Source hosted, and Lori Townsend moderated. Hafner and McDermott did not take part.

At the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) convention forum in Anchorage on Friday, Oct. 23, Hill was the only House candidate on stage. Begich’s campaign did not respond when asked why Begich skipped it, according to Alaska Public Media’s report on the AFN forums. Hill, Hafner and McDermott answered the Alaska Beacon’s candidate questionnaire, and Begich did not.

Endorsements

Begich is endorsed by President Donald Trump, according to Begich’s Ballotpedia profile. Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) have held rallies for Begich, according to the Associated Press profile of the House race.

Hill is endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party, which has backed Hill since July. “The Democratic Party has enthusiastically endorsed Bill Hill,” party chair Eric Croft told the Beacon. The party is also urging voters not to back Hafner, the race’s only Democrat, with yard signs reading “Don’t be tricked! Eric Hafner: In Prison in New York.” Before the primary, Democrat Matt Schultz suspended Schultz’s campaign on Friday, July 17, and endorsed Hill, according to Alaska Public Media’s report on the Schultz endorsement.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from Federal Election Commission (FEC) reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia. Begich reported raising $6,438,904, spending $4,760,367 and holding $1,782,867 in cash. Hill reported raising $2,630,793, spending $2,513,061 and holding $117,732. Hafner and McDermott reported no FEC fundraising.

Outside groups have spent more than $450,000 against Hafner, according to FEC filings tallied by OpenSecrets and reported by the Beacon. Before the August primary and again in the past week, some Alaska voters received anonymous text messages supporting Hafner that lacked the disclosure language federal law requires. Asked by the Beacon whether Begich or anyone Begich knows encouraged Hafner to run, Begich said “Absolutely not.”

Begich’s top political action committee (PAC) donors were committees tied to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, American Revival, Buckeye Liberty and Chesapeake Freedom. Hill’s top PAC donors were Swing Left, the American Federation of Teachers’ committee, the Carpenters Legislative Improvement Committee, the NEA Fund for Children and Public Education and Way Back PAC.

Donors who give more than $200 in a cycle are listed by name in FEC filings. Smaller gifts are reported only as a lump total, so small donors’ names are not public.

The Incumbent’s Record

Begich serves on the House Natural Resources Committee, where Begich is vice chair of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee. Begich also serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure and the Science, Space and Technology committees. Begich’s caucuses include the Congressional Native American Caucus and the Congressional Ferry Caucus. Begich has set a record for the most legislation enacted by a first-term member in the history of the U.S. House, the Beacon reports.

Six bills and resolutions Begich sponsored have become law, including the Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act and the Alaska Native Village Municipal Lands Restoration Act, according to Legis1 records. Begich has cosponsored 195 bills and missed none of 123 roll-call votes since June. Hill said at the debate that Begich votes with the party line 100% of the time, and Legis1 records show Begich voted against a majority of House Republicans on four roll-call votes since June.

Challengers’ Records

Hill has never run for statewide office before. Hill’s public service has been in education, most recently as superintendent of the Bristol Bay Borough School District. At the debate, Begich said Hill’s tenure as superintendent left a school that was “one of the best in the state” among “one of the worst.” Hill called the data cherry-picked and pointed to graduation rates and a career and technical education program.

Hafner has not held public office. Hafner ran for this seat in 2024 after the Alaska Supreme Court rejected the Alaska Democratic Party’s bid to remove Hafner from the ballot, and received a little over 1% of the vote. Hafner ran in a special U.S. House election in Florida the next year. McDermott is a former Alaska elections commissioner, according to McDermott’s questionnaire answers.

The U.S. Senate Race

What This Office Does

U.S. senators serve six-year terms and vote on every federal law and the federal budget. The Senate also confirms presidential nominees, including federal judges and Cabinet members, and approves treaties. At the candidates’ televised debate, the questions centered on energy costs, the war in Iran, fisheries, Social Security and outside spending in the race.

Candidates In Brief

Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), listed on the ballot as Dan S. Sullivan and first elected in 2014, is seeking a third term. Sullivan, 61, served as Alaska’s attorney general and as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and is a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, according to Sullivan’s statement in the official election pamphlet. Sullivan received 41.4% in the Tuesday, Aug. 18 primary, according to Ballotpedia’s general election preview.

Democrat Mary Peltola is a former U.S. House member and state legislator. Peltola was born in Anchorage, grew up in villages near Bethel and is a former fishing boat captain, according to Peltola’s answers to the Alaska Beacon’s U.S. Senate voter guide. Peltola led the primary with 49.5%.

Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., 69, is a retired teacher and former forestry technician from Petersburg who has served as a volunteer firefighter. Sullivan Jr. ran as a Republican in the primary, receiving 2.5%, and appears on the general election ballot with no party listed, according to the Juneau Independent. The incumbent appears with an “incumbent” label next to Sullivan’s name, the only candidate on the ballot with one.

Republicans say Sullivan Jr. is running to draw votes from the incumbent, and the Alaska Supreme Court rejected their attempt to remove Sullivan Jr. from the ballot. This week, The New York Times reported that Peltola campaign members and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) staff discussed recruiting someone with the senator’s name, according to the Associated Press report on the recruitment allegations. Peltola’s campaign says it “has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign,” and the DSCC says it “is not involved with Dan J. Sullivan.” Sullivan Jr. has long denied running at Democrats’ request. Sullivan campaign spokesperson Nate Adams said “Alaskans deserve the truth.”

At Trump’s direction, the U.S. Department of Justice has sued to stop Alaska from certifying the Senate result if Peltola wins while Sullivan Jr. remains on the ballot. Peltola’s lawyers have asked the court to dismiss the suit, calling it “wholly baseless,” according to FOX 9’s report on the lawsuit.

Republican Gerald L. Heikes received 1% in the primary and advanced after Democrat David Leslie, the fourth place finisher, withdrew, according to the Anchorage Daily News’ report on the Senate field.

Where They Stand

Energy and cost of living. Sullivan says the best way to lower energy costs “is to produce more Alaskan energy by and for Alaskans,” and has made the proposed Alaska LNG gas pipeline a centerpiece of the campaign, according to Alaska’s News Source’s Senate debate coverage. Peltola’s platform calls for:

  • permitting reform
  • more oil refining in Alaska
  • modernizing the Railbelt power grid
  • more rural home heating assistance
  • geothermal and small modular nuclear power

Iran and foreign policy. Sullivan says the war in Iran should end soon with the Strait of Hormuz reopened and a deal that keeps Iran from building nuclear weapons, according to the Associated Press account of the Senate debate. Peltola says “this war is driving up our energy bills and hurting Alaskans with no end in sight.” Both candidates support Ukraine.

Fisheries. Peltola says “I’ll fight to ban factory trawling and keep mid-water trawlers off the ocean floor,” and backs a tribal seat on the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Sullivan points to Sullivan’s Bycatch Reduction Act, which Sullivan says passed the Senate Commerce Committee “in a bipartisan way.”

Health care. Sullivan says “we’ve secured the largest federal investment in Alaska’s healthcare system at $1.4 billion to lower costs.” Peltola says “I will fight to restore Medicaid dollars and reinstate Affordable Care Act tax credits.”

Social Security. Peltola says Sullivan has voted to put seniors’ benefits at risk, including by voting to raise the retirement age. Sullivan denies voting to raise the retirement age and points to Sullivan’s vote for the Social Security Fairness Act.

Abortion. Peltola says abortion should be “legal” and that “healthcare decisions should be up to a woman and her doctor, not DC politicians.” Sullivan Jr. says “the federal government should not be involved in personal health care decisions.” Sullivan did not answer the Beacon questionnaire and did not address abortion at the debate.

Resource roads. Sullivan Jr. would support the proposed industrial road to the Ambler mining district in Northwest Alaska only if it meets the concerns of communities that have long used the land.

Heikes has not published positions on these issues.

In Their Own Words

Dan S. Sullivan, in Sullivan’s official election pamphlet statement:

“My vision for Alaska is one of opportunity for all, with more jobs, more money in your pockets.”

Mary Peltola, at the AFN convention forum on Friday, Oct. 23, per Alaska Public Media:

“No Alaskan should ever have to choose between heating their home and feeding their family.”

Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., in the Alaska Beacon questionnaire, on the Ambler road:

“Addresses the concerns of the communities that have used the land for generations.”

Questionnaires And Debates

Sullivan and Peltola met in Debate for the State on Thursday, Oct. 15, with the same hosts and moderator, according to Alaska Public Media’s Senate debate coverage. Heikes and Sullivan Jr. did not take part.

At the AFN convention forum on Friday, Oct. 23, Peltola was the only Senate candidate on stage. AFN leaders said Sullivan’s campaign cited security concerns and protests. Sullivan spokesperson Nate Adams said that was not correct but gave no reason for Sullivan’s absence. At the forum, Peltola called the Justice Department lawsuit “flagrant, flagrant corruption.” Peltola and Sullivan Jr. answered the Alaska Beacon questionnaire, and Sullivan did not.

Endorsements

Sullivan is endorsed by Trump, who posted a video endorsement on Friday, Sept. 18, according to the Roll Call Factba.se transcript. Sullivan is also endorsed by Begich and by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which announced its endorsement Aug. 14, according to Ballotpedia’s Senate race page. Before the primary, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) endorsed Sullivan on Monday, Jan. 12, the day Peltola entered the race, according to Alaska’s News Source’s report on the Murkowski endorsement.

Peltola lists endorsements from the League of Conservation Voters, the Alaska AFL-CIO, NEA-Alaska, the American Federation of Government Employees, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, the Alliance for Retired Americans and Sealaska, along with several other unions, according to Peltola’s Ballotpedia survey.

Who Is Funding Them

These figures come from FEC reports for the 2026 cycle through Wednesday, Oct. 14, as compiled by Ballotpedia. Peltola reported raising $36,887,509, spending $32,785,383 and holding $4,102,126 in cash. Sullivan reported raising $14,107,205, spending $11,999,191 and holding $2,839,758. Sullivan Jr. reported raising $30,556 and holding $1,902, and Heikes reported no FEC fundraising.

Peltola’s top PAC donors included EMILYs List at $35,000 and Advancing Democracy and Mobilization PAC at $24,000. Sullivan’s top donors included the National Republican Senatorial Committee at $62,000 and the Cruise Lines International Association’s committee at $15,000.

The largest single outside spender in Ballotpedia’s tally is Last Frontier PAC, with $2,778,529 opposing Peltola, followed by Right for Alaska, with $1,149,172 opposing Sullivan. At the debate, Peltola said Peltola is “being outspent three to one,” and Sullivan called outside spending a “free speech” matter for the courts.

The Incumbent’s Record

Sullivan serves on the Senate Armed Services, Commerce, Environment and Public Works, and Veterans’ Affairs committees. Sullivan’s caucuses include the Senate Arctic Caucus, the Senate Coast Guard Caucus and the Senate Oceans Caucus.

Four bills Sullivan sponsored have become law, including the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act and the PRO Veterans Act of 2025, according to Legis1 records. Sullivan has cosponsored 262 bills, voted against a majority of Senate Republicans on eight roll-call votes since June and missed eight of 124 roll-call votes in that period. Asked at the debate about Trump, Sullivan said “I have denounced the president’s language on these kinds of issues.”

Challengers’ Records

Peltola served in the Alaska House from 1999 to 2009, on the Bethel City Council from 2011 to 2013 and in the U.S. House from 2022 to 2025. At the debate, Sullivan said Peltola voted against a military pay raise. Peltola said Peltola voted for “that pay raise that our service members hadn’t had in 10 years.”

Sullivan Jr. has served on a public safety advisory board in Petersburg.

Scorecards Readers Can Check

The League of Conservation Voters scorecard rates environmental votes, and the Heritage Action scorecard rates votes from a conservative perspective. Both grade Begich and Sullivan, and because each group picks different votes, their ratings measure different things.

Also On Your Ballot

Alaska voters will decide two statewide ballot measures, both citizen initiatives. Your city or borough may hold local elections on a different schedule, so check your sample ballot for any local questions.

Measure 2: Restoring party primaries and ending ranked choice general elections. A Yes vote replaces the open top four primary with party primaries. It also ends ranked choice voting in the general election, so voters pick one candidate per race, and repeals campaign finance disclosure rules voters passed in 2020. A No vote keeps the current system. The state estimates the change would cost $2.6 million to carry out, according to Alaska Public Media’s Measure 2 explainer. A similar repeal failed in 2024 by 737 votes out of 320,985 cast.

The Repeal Now campaign’s sponsors are Bernadette Wilson, Judy Eledge of Anchorage and state Rep. Ken McCarty (R-Eagle River). Campaign treasurer Bethany Marcum says voters deserve “one person, one vote,” and supporters call ranked choice voting confusing and slow. Opponents, organized as Protect Alaska’s Elections, say the current system gives voters more choices. Attorney Scott Kendall calls the measure a “Trojan horse” because it also repeals the disclosure rules. As of late July, the No side had raised about $5.75 million, led by $4 million from Unite America PAC. The Yes side had raised about $1.1 million, including $846,000 from the Aurora Action Network, a Wisconsin super PAC.

Measure 3: Citizenship requirement for voting. A Yes vote changes state law to say “only” a U.S. citizen who meets the other requirements may vote. A No vote keeps current law, which already requires citizenship to vote. The measure qualified with 34,944 verified signatures from 40 House districts, certified Tuesday, March 17, according to Ballotpedia’s Measure 3 page).

Former state Sens. John Coghill (R) and Josh Revak (R) and former House Speaker Mike Chenault (R) sponsored the measure. Coghill says current law “does not specifically say that only citizens may vote,” according to Alaska Public Media’s Measure 3 report. State Rep. Alyse Galvin (I-Anchorage) says the change is redundant and could make new citizens afraid to vote. State Rep. Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage) says it could block future efforts to let U.S. nationals such as American Samoans vote in Alaska. No campaign has registered to oppose it. Alaskans for Citizen Voting, the Yes campaign, reported $993,338 in contributions through Saturday, Oct. 24, according to Ballotpedia.

Before You Go

How ranked choice voting works

  • Rank the candidates in each federal race in order of preference, filling in one oval per column. You may rank as many or as few candidates as you like, and ranking more than one does not hurt your first choice.
  • If no candidate wins more than half of first choices, the last place candidate is eliminated and those ballots count for each voter’s next choice. This repeats until one candidate has a majority, according to the Division of Elections’ ranked choice guide.

Still Ahead

  • Early voting runs through Monday, Nov. 2. In person absentee voting continues through Election Day, according to Election Protection’s Alaska guide.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Look up your polling place at the Division of Elections’ My Voter Information page.
  • Online or fax ballots can be requested until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
  • Mail ballots must be signed in front of a witness age 18 or older, who also signs the envelope, and include at least one identifier, according to the Division of Elections’ absentee voting page. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and arrive by Friday, Nov. 13, or be dropped at a voting location by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
  • ID: Bring an ID such as an Alaska driver’s license, state ID, voter ID card, passport, military ID or hunting or fishing license. A utility bill, bank statement or government document showing your name and address also works. A voter without ID may cast a questioned ballot.
  • Questions: Call the Division of Elections at 907-270-2700 or toll free at 877-375-6508, or call the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

Deadlines That Have Passed

  • Registration closed Sunday, Oct. 4.
  • Mail ballot applications were due Saturday, Oct. 24.

Sources

AllCiv Profiles and Race Pages

Official Records

Candidate Statements and Questionnaires

News

Ballot Measures

Endorsements

Scorecards

Voting Information

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