Democrat Mary Peltola Defeats Sarah Palin In Alaska S Special Election

Why it matters: Peltola’s win is a major upset in a state that voted for former President Trump by 10 points in 2020 and makes her the first Alaska Native to be elected to Congress.

Peltola will also be the first Democrat to represent the seat in nearly half a century. Republican Don Young held it from 1973 until his death in March. She defeated Republican Sarah Palin, the former governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate who had Trump’s support.

How it happened: Peltola advanced to the general election in a top-four primary in June along with Palin and businessman Nick Begich, a more mainstream Republican.

Independent Al Gross, a surgeon and 2020 U.S. Senate candidate, dropped out of the race shortly after qualifying in the primary and endorsed Peltola. The general election, which was ranked, saw Peltola with a 9-point lead over Palin in first-preference votes. He ultimately won with 52% to Palin’s 49%. While half of Begich’s votes went to Palin in the runoff, nearly 30% went to Peltola and another 21% did not list either candidate as a second choice.

The background: Peltola, who is Yup’ik, served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009.

She campaigned on her support for abortion rights, climate action and organized labor, as well as her knowledge of the state’s prominent fishing industry. He also sought to contrast Palin’s more divisive tone, telling the New York Times, “I think respect is just a fundamental part of getting things done and dealing with problems.”

The big picture: Peltola’s victory follows a string of Democratic outperformances in House special elections since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision in June. Yes, but: Alaska’s new ranked choice system makes it a unique case that’s harder to extrapolate from than the typical general election. What they say: “I look forward to continuing Don Young’s legacy of bipartisanship, serving all Alaskans and building support for Alaskan interests in DC,” Peltola said in a statement.

“We built a lot of momentum in a short period of time. … I plan to continue to introduce myself to Alaskans and work to earn their trust.” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (DN.Y.) said Peltola’s victory “sends a resounding message that only confirms what we already know: Voters in this country are outraged by the extreme attacks of Republicans on their fundamental liberties. “

The flip side: In a statement, Palin took shots at ranked-choice voting — which she had opposed throughout the campaign — arguing that it has “effectively disenfranchised 60 percent of Alaska voters.”

“While we are disappointed with this outcome, Alaskans know that I am the last person who will ever back down. Instead, I will reload,” he said.

What’s next: The special election was only to determine who will fill out the remainder of Young’s term, which ends Jan. 3.

Peltola, Palin, Begich and fishing guide Chris Bye, a Libertarian, will face off in another runoff election in November after qualifying in a primary last week.

title: “Democrat Mary Peltola Defeats Sarah Palin In Alaska S Special Election Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-01” author: “George Gay”

Why it matters: Peltola’s win is a major upset in a state that voted for former President Trump by 10 points in 2020 and makes her the first Alaska Native to be elected to Congress.

Peltola will also be the first Democrat to represent the seat in nearly half a century. Republican Don Young held it from 1973 until his death in March. She defeated Republican Sarah Palin, the former governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate who had Trump’s support.

How it happened: Peltola advanced to the general election in a top-four primary in June along with Palin and businessman Nick Begich, a more mainstream Republican.

Independent Al Gross, a surgeon and 2020 U.S. Senate candidate, dropped out of the race shortly after qualifying in the primary and endorsed Peltola. The general election, which was ranked, saw Peltola with a 9-point lead over Palin in first-preference votes. He ultimately won with 52% to Palin’s 49%. While half of Begich’s votes went to Palin in the runoff, nearly 30% went to Peltola and another 21% did not list either candidate as a second choice.

The background: Peltola, who is Yup’ik, served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009.

She campaigned on her support for abortion rights, climate action and organized labor, as well as her knowledge of the state’s prominent fishing industry. He also sought to contrast Palin’s more divisive tone, telling the New York Times, “I think respect is just a fundamental part of getting things done and dealing with problems.”

The big picture: Peltola’s victory follows a string of Democratic outperformances in House special elections since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision in June. Yes, but: Alaska’s new ranked choice system makes it a unique case that’s harder to extrapolate from than the typical general election. What they say: “I look forward to continuing Don Young’s legacy of bipartisanship, serving all Alaskans and building support for Alaskan interests in DC,” Peltola said in a statement.

“We built a lot of momentum in a short period of time. … I plan to continue to introduce myself to Alaskans and work to earn their trust.” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (DN.Y.) said Peltola’s victory “sends a resounding message that only confirms what we already know: Voters in this country are outraged by the extreme attacks of Republicans on their fundamental liberties. “

The flip side: In a statement, Palin took shots at ranked-choice voting — which she had opposed throughout the campaign — arguing that it has “effectively disenfranchised 60 percent of Alaska voters.”

“While we are disappointed with this outcome, Alaskans know that I am the last person who will ever back down. Instead, I will reload,” he said.

What’s next: The special election was only to determine who will fill out the remainder of Young’s term, which ends Jan. 3.

Peltola, Palin, Begich and fishing guide Chris Bye, a Libertarian, will face off in another runoff election in November after qualifying in a primary last week.

title: “Democrat Mary Peltola Defeats Sarah Palin In Alaska S Special Election Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-26” author: “Kelli Mcmorris”

Why it matters: Peltola’s win is a major upset in a state that voted for former President Trump by 10 points in 2020 and makes her the first Alaska Native to be elected to Congress.

Peltola will also be the first Democrat to represent the seat in nearly half a century. Republican Don Young held it from 1973 until his death in March. She defeated Republican Sarah Palin, the former governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate who had Trump’s support.

How it happened: Peltola advanced to the general election in a top-four primary in June along with Palin and businessman Nick Begich, a more mainstream Republican.

Independent Al Gross, a surgeon and 2020 U.S. Senate candidate, dropped out of the race shortly after qualifying in the primary and endorsed Peltola. The general election, which was ranked, saw Peltola with a 9-point lead over Palin in first-preference votes. He ultimately won with 52% to Palin’s 49%. While half of Begich’s votes went to Palin in the runoff, nearly 30% went to Peltola and another 21% did not list either candidate as a second choice.

The background: Peltola, who is Yup’ik, served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009.

She campaigned on her support for abortion rights, climate action and organized labor, as well as her knowledge of the state’s prominent fishing industry. He also sought to contrast Palin’s more divisive tone, telling the New York Times, “I think respect is just a fundamental part of getting things done and dealing with problems.”

The big picture: Peltola’s victory follows a string of Democratic outperformances in House special elections since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision in June. Yes, but: Alaska’s new ranked choice system makes it a unique case that’s harder to extrapolate from than the typical general election. What they say: “I look forward to continuing Don Young’s legacy of bipartisanship, serving all Alaskans and building support for Alaskan interests in DC,” Peltola said in a statement.

“We built a lot of momentum in a short period of time. … I plan to continue to introduce myself to Alaskans and work to earn their trust.” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (DN.Y.) said Peltola’s victory “sends a resounding message that only confirms what we already know: Voters in this country are outraged by the extreme attacks of Republicans on their fundamental liberties. “

The flip side: In a statement, Palin took shots at ranked-choice voting — which she had opposed throughout the campaign — arguing that it has “effectively disenfranchised 60 percent of Alaska voters.”

“While we are disappointed with this outcome, Alaskans know that I am the last person who will ever back down. Instead, I will reload,” he said.

What’s next: The special election was only to determine who will fill out the remainder of Young’s term, which ends Jan. 3.

Peltola, Palin, Begich and fishing guide Chris Bye, a Libertarian, will face off in another runoff election in November after qualifying in a primary last week.

title: “Democrat Mary Peltola Defeats Sarah Palin In Alaska S Special Election Klmat” ShowToc: true date: “2022-10-30” author: “Jose Chandler”

Why it matters: Peltola’s win is a major upset in a state that voted for former President Trump by 10 points in 2020 and makes her the first Alaska Native to be elected to Congress.

Peltola will also be the first Democrat to represent the seat in nearly half a century. Republican Don Young held it from 1973 until his death in March. She defeated Republican Sarah Palin, the former governor and 2008 vice presidential candidate who had Trump’s support.

How it happened: Peltola advanced to the general election in a top-four primary in June along with Palin and businessman Nick Begich, a more mainstream Republican.

Independent Al Gross, a surgeon and 2020 U.S. Senate candidate, dropped out of the race shortly after qualifying in the primary and endorsed Peltola. The general election, which was ranked, saw Peltola with a 9-point lead over Palin in first-preference votes. He ultimately won with 52% to Palin’s 49%. While half of Begich’s votes went to Palin in the runoff, nearly 30% went to Peltola and another 21% did not list either candidate as a second choice.

The background: Peltola, who is Yup’ik, served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009.

She campaigned on her support for abortion rights, climate action and organized labor, as well as her knowledge of the state’s prominent fishing industry. He also sought to contrast Palin’s more divisive tone, telling the New York Times, “I think respect is just a fundamental part of getting things done and dealing with problems.”

The big picture: Peltola’s victory follows a string of Democratic outperformances in House special elections since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion decision in June. Yes, but: Alaska’s new ranked choice system makes it a unique case that’s harder to extrapolate from than the typical general election. What they say: “I look forward to continuing Don Young’s legacy of bipartisanship, serving all Alaskans and building support for Alaskan interests in DC,” Peltola said in a statement.

“We built a lot of momentum in a short period of time. … I plan to continue to introduce myself to Alaskans and work to earn their trust.” Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Sean Patrick Maloney (DN.Y.) said Peltola’s victory “sends a resounding message that only confirms what we already know: Voters in this country are outraged by the extreme attacks of Republicans on their fundamental liberties. “

The flip side: In a statement, Palin took shots at ranked-choice voting — which she had opposed throughout the campaign — arguing that it has “effectively disenfranchised 60 percent of Alaska voters.”

“While we are disappointed with this outcome, Alaskans know that I am the last person who will ever back down. Instead, I will reload,” he said.

What’s next: The special election was only to determine who will fill out the remainder of Young’s term, which ends Jan. 3.

Peltola, Palin, Begich and fishing guide Chris Bye, a Libertarian, will face off in another runoff election in November after qualifying in a primary last week.