Palin, Begich Battle in Alaska Special Election for Late Congressman’s Seat

Donald Trump-endorsed Sarah Palin, her Republican rival Nick Begich III, and Democrat Mary Peltola will go head-to-head in Alaska’s special general election on Aug. 16 to serve out the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. Don Young’s term.

In a 48-way special primary on June 11 following the Republican Young’s death in March—Palin, Begich, Peltola, and Al Gross, an independent, were the top four finishers in the election. While the result sounds confusing, it reflects the state’s non-partisan primary system in which all candidates appear on the ballot regardless of party affiliation.

That allowed them to move on to the special election, with the winner to serve out the remaining three months of Young’s term. Meanwhile, all three of the party contenders are also on the regular primary ballot on Aug. 16 for the same seat for the next two years.

Dr. Al Gross (C)  pauses for a photo with supporters during a sign-waving along Seward Highway, on Election Day in Anchorage, Alaska, on Nov. 3, 2020. Gross dropped out of the race to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) in the regular primary election on Aug. 16, 2022. (Michael Dinneen/AP Photo)

The ballot for the primary election features 22 candidates; the top four will advance to the Nov. 8 general election for a two-year seat in the U.S. House.

Gross, who finished third in the June 11 special primary, has since dropped out of the race, endorsing Peltola and Republican contender Tara Sweeney in the non-partisan “Pick One” regular primary on Aug. 16.

“A Non-Partisan Pick One primary is used to determine the top four vote-getters that will advance to the general election, regardless of political affiliation,” according to the Alaska Division of Elections.

Under the state’s laws, a candidate in a primary “does not have

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