Who's running in Alaska's at-large congressional district
4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
4 candidates · ballot order · Nick Begich currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Expanding oil, gas and resource development in Alaska and increasing the state's royalty income.
The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act's tax breaks and its Rural Health Transformation Program for rural Alaska health care.
Support for President Trump's major policy initiatives.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Alaska since January 2025; won 51.22% in 2024.
Voted for the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act and against a three-year extension of enhanced ACA subsidies, per the Alaska Current.
Led the August 18, 2026 top-four primary with 44.6%.
Endorsed by President Trump, Sen. Dan Sullivan, Speaker Mike Johnson, Club for Growth PAC, the National Federation of Independent Business and the NRA Political Victory Fund, per Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
'Congressman Nick Begich is a results-driven leader who helped unlock Alaska's resources, create jobs, and lower costs for working families, all while ensuring Alaskans have the freedom to chart their own future.'
— NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson
Begich is battle-tested and has risen within Republican ranks as a trusted voice on energy: 'For a freshman to be included like they have included him with the leadership of the party is pretty, pretty remarkable.'
— Art Hackney, conservative political consultant (KNBA)
Arguments against
Begich has contributed to rising costs by 'jacking up our health insurance prices to pay for massive tax breaks for billionaires' and 'rubber-stamping tariff taxes', and Alaskans say he 'does not respond to their requests.'
— Bill Hill, independent opponent (Anchorage Daily News)
'Nick Begich and the entire MAGA movement has been disastrous and destructive not only to Alaska, but to the entire country.'
— Matt Schultz, former Democratic candidate (Anchorage Daily News)
What we couldn’t verify
Begich's campaign did not respond to Anchorage Daily News or Alaska Public Media interview requests after the primary.
Debate plans for the general election were not confirmed in a loaded source.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed from a loaded page.
Restoring enhanced ACA premium subsidies and 'good healthcare for everybody.'
Opposing the 2025 tax law's cuts and tariffs he calls taxes on Alaskans.
Independence from party leadership; he has not said which party he would caucus with.
Commitments on organized labor, reproductive freedom and ICE reform, per the Alaska Democratic Party's endorsement statement.
Supporting the Trump administration when it does 'good things for Alaska' and opposing it when actions are 'negative for Alaska, or illegal.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Former superintendent of the Bristol Bay Borough School District; Alaska Superintendent of the Year, 2023.
Finished second in the August 18, 2026 top-four primary with 32.5%.
Raised $1.3 million with about $500,000 on hand, per the Anchorage Daily News; backed by Wheel Dog PAC, a super PAC that has spent more than $2 million; about three-fourths of itemized donations came from outside Alaska as of April, per the Alaska Current.
Endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party, Alaska AFL-CIO, Alaska Professional Firefighters, the National Education Association and House Speaker Bryce Edgmon, per the Anchorage Daily News and Wikipedia.
Arguments in favor
The Alaska Democratic Party endorsed Hill 'following commitments from Hill on organized labor, reproductive freedom, and reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.'
— Alaska Democratic Party State Central Committee (Anchorage Daily News)
'Anybody who wants to cast their vote for something that's going to repair America and move the country forward should vote for Bill Hill.'
— Matt Schultz, former Democratic candidate (Anchorage Daily News)
With 60% of Alaskans identifying with neither party, 'a lot of people ... would prefer to vote for an independent who can remain independent from party bosses and truly represent Alaskans in Congress.'
— Bill Hill (Anchorage Daily News)
Arguments against
'Bill Hill's fake independent mask has been removed, and it's clear he is a rubber stamp for radical Democrats who want to lock up Alaska's resources, hike taxes, and strip away gun rights.'
— NRCC spokesman Zach Bannon
Hill's anti-oligarch platform is complicated by his reliance on out-of-state donors, including left-leaning billionaires such as Dirk Ziff and Michael Novogratz; asked about them, Hill said he had 'no idea.'
— The Alaska Current reporting
Hill is a 'real long shot': 'I just don't see the sort of enthusiasm for Bill Hill that makes me think this campaign is going to suddenly make up a lot of ground.'
— Jim Lottsfeldt, political consultant who volunteered for Schultz (Anchorage Daily News)
What we couldn’t verify
Which party Hill would caucus with if elected remains unstated.
Debate plans for the general election were not confirmed in a loaded source.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed from a loaded page.
Has not held elected office; candidate for this seat in 2024.
Finished fourth in the August 18, 2026 top-four primary with 3.8%.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
The party 'has not and will not endorse' Hafner, who 'is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in New York and has no apparent ties to Alaska.'
— Alaska Democratic Party (Anchorage Daily News)
What we couldn’t verify
Hafner's positions could not be found in a loaded source.
In 2024 the NRCC boosted Hafner's candidacy to help Begich, the Anchorage Daily News reported at the time, per Alaska Public Media; who sent 2026 text messages promoting him before the primary is unclear.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Alaska's general election, and Alaska's single US House seat is elected statewide, so there is no district map. The top-four open primary and ranked-choice general election adopted by voters in 2020 remain in force for 2026: all candidates ran on one primary ballot on August 18, 2026, the top four advanced, and in November voters rank them. If a candidate wins more than 50% of first choices they win; otherwise the last-place candidate is eliminated and those ballots move to voters' next choices until two remain. Ballot Measure 2, on the same November ballot, would repeal the open primary, ranked-choice voting and 2020 campaign disclosure rules; a similar repeal failed in 2024 by 737 votes. This race is conducted under the current system. In the primary, Republican Rep. Nick Begich won 44.6% and independent Bill Hill 32.5%. Democrat Matt Schultz (third, 8.1%), who had suspended his campaign in July and endorsed Hill, formally withdrew, as did the fifth-, sixth- and seventh-place finishers, John Williams, Clay Strickland and Yaquelin Reynoso. That moved fourth-place Democrat Eric Hafner (3.8%), who is in federal prison, into the general election along with eighth-place Libertarian Jim McDermott (1.2%). The Division of Elections' certified general election list was not loaded; the roster follows Alaska Public Media, the Alaska Beacon and the Anchorage Daily News. Write-in candidates are not listed. Begich won 51.22% in 2024, unseating Democrat Mary Peltola. Candidates are listed in order of primary finish; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Alaska ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Alaska Division of Elections.