Alaska’s 2024 At‑Large U.S. House Election: A Deep Dive

Background & District Overview

Alaska is represented in the U.S. House by a single, statewide at-large district—the largest in the country by area, spanning over 665,000 square miles. The district includes both urban centers (about 65.7%) and vast rural areas (about 34.3%) and is characterized by significant ethnic diversity and a Republican-friendly Cook Partisan Voting Index of R+6.

Incumbent & Challenger Profiles

• Mary Peltola (Democrat)
  • First elected in a 2022 special election following the passing of long-serving Republican Don Young. Her election marked several historic milestones: she became the first Democrat to represent Alaska in the House since 1972, the first Alaska Native, and the first woman in the role.
  • She secured a full term later in 2022 and sought re-election in 2024. Peltola is known for her bipartisan approach and advocacy for fisheries, the Permanent Fund, energy costs, and union jobs.
• Nick Begich III (Republican)
  • A businessman and political scion (grandson of former Rep. Nick Begich Sr.), he had previously contested both the 2022 special and general elections unsuccessfully.
  • In 2024, Begich emerged as the Republican challenger aiming to flip the seat.

Primary Election Highlights

Held August 20, 2024, Alaska’s top-four nonpartisan primary advanced four candidates to the general election:

• Mary Peltola (D) – ~50.9%
• Nick Begich III (R) – ~26.6%
• Nancy Dahlstrom (R) – ~19.9%
• Others: Matthew Salisbury, John Howe (AIP), Eric Hafner, among others.

Shortly afterward, both Nancy Dahlstrom and Matthew Salisbury withdrew, paving the way for John Wayne Howe (Alaskan Independence Party) and Eric Hafner (Democrat, currently incarcerated in New York) to enter the general election ballot due to Alaska’s unique ranked-choice procedures.

Despite being incarcerated and having never set foot in Alaska, Hafner remained on the ballot after Alaska’s Supreme Court ruled against efforts to remove him.

General Election & Ranked‑Choice Voting

The general election occurred on November 5, 2024, alongside the presidential race. Alaska uses ranked-choice voting (RCV): voters rank candidates, and rounds of counting eliminate the lowest candidates until someone surpasses 50%.

Results Summary:

Candidate	Round 1 Votes	%	Round 3 Final %
Nick Begich III (R)	159,550	48.41%	51.22%
Mary Peltola (D)	152,828	46.37%	48.78%
Independence Party	13,010	3.95%	Eliminated
Other Democrat (Hafner)	3,417	1.04%	Eliminated

Nick Begich III overtook Peltola in later rounds and was officially declared the winner on November 20, 2024. He was sworn into office on January 3, 2025.

Turnout & Voting Patterns

Alaska saw its second-highest voter turnout on record: just under 56% (with over 340,000 ballots cast).

Key insights:

• Rural & Indigenous Areas: Turnout was notably low in districts such as the North Slope/Northwest Arctic and north/east Anchorage, highlighting longstanding language and access issues tied to the Voting Rights Act .
• Urban Centers with Early Voting: Juneau, Homer, and Eagle River—where early voting was widely available—saw turnout above 60%.
• Ticket Splitting: Despite Trump defeating Biden in Alaska by over 13 points, Begich underperformed Trump in every district. In Native-majority areas like District 40, Peltola actually outpaced Trump (winning 55% vs. Trump’s 50%).

Broader Implications

• Shift in Representation: Begich’s win flips the seat from Democrat to Republican, returning Alaska to its longstanding GOP representation after Peltola’s historic tenure.
• House Control: This seat contributed to the Republican majority in the House. By election’s end, Republicans maintained a slim lead with an estimated 220 seats vs. Democrats’ 215.
• RCV Scrutiny: Alaska’s ranked-choice system—and the unusual case of an incarcerated candidate—brought renewed attention to how this voting method shapes outcomes, especially in tightly contested races.

Final Thoughts

Alaska’s at-large House race of 2024 was a compelling blend of tradition and innovation: a historic incumbent challenged by an established political figure amid ranked-choice voting, unusual candidates, and shifting voter dynamics. With Nick Begich III now taking office, Alaska returns to its Republican legacy, yet the election underscored continued fluidity and engagement across the state’s diverse electorate.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — Alaska’s 2024 At‑Large U.S. House Election

Who won the 2024 U.S. House election in Alaska?

Republican Nick Begich III won the 2024 general election for Alaska’s at-large U.S. House seat, defeating incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola through Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system.

What is Alaska’s at-large congressional district?

Alaska has only one congressional district, which covers the entire state. It is referred to as an “at-large” district and represents all residents of Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives.

What voting system does Alaska use?

Alaska uses a ranked-choice voting (RCV) system. Voters rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate gets over 50% in the first round, the lowest-ranking candidates are eliminated, and votes are redistributed until one candidate surpasses 50%.

Who were the main candidates in the 2024 race?

The primary contenders were:
– Nick Begich III (Republican)
– Mary Peltola (Democrat, Incumbent)
– John Wayne Howe (Alaskan Independence Party)
– Eric Hafner (Democrat, incarcerated candidate)

What was significant about Mary Peltola’s candidacy?

Mary Peltola made history in 2022 as the first Alaska Native and first woman to represent Alaska in Congress. She was also the first Democrat elected to the seat since 1972. Her 2024 re-election bid was a high-profile contest.

Was there really a candidate running from prison?

Yes. Eric Hafner, a Democratic candidate currently incarcerated in New York, qualified for the general election ballot due to Alaska’s election laws. Despite legal efforts to remove him, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled he could remain on the ballot.

How close was the final vote?

Nick Begich won with 51.22% of the vote after ranked-choice tabulation. Mary Peltola received 48.78% in the final round, making it a closely contested race.

Why is this election result important nationally?

Alaska’s seat was one of several key races contributing to the Republican Party’s narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the 2025–2027 term.

What were the voter turnout trends in Alaska for this election?

Turnout was high, approaching 56%, with urban areas showing stronger participation than many rural or Native-majority districts, where access and language issues may have impacted turnout.

What issues influenced voters in this election?

Major issues included:
– Energy policy and cost of living
– Resource development and land use
– Tribal rights and rural healthcare
– Inflation and economic concerns
– National party dynamics

Author Bio
Ana Milojevik is a political journalist specializing in U.S. elections and legislative affairs. With a keen focus on congressional races, she provides in-depth analysis of key contests such as the U.S. House Alaska At-Large District General Election, 2024. Her work blends clear reporting with contextual insights, helping readers understand how national politics intersect with local voter priorities. Ana’s coverage often explores electoral trends, candidate platforms, and the broader implications of pivotal House and Senate races.