Begich leads with 50 percent in Alaska House race

U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III holds a 50 percent share of the vote in Alaska's House race, according to early returns. The incumbent Republican is ahead by ten points with approximately 70 percent of precincts reporting Tuesday night. Independent candidate Bill Hill trails with about 40 percent of the vote.

Begich addressed supporters at the Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage after a joint event with Sen. Dan Sullivan. He cited recent legislative actions, including the opening of the North Petroleum Reserve Area and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. "We opened up NPR-A. We opened up ANWR. We're getting that gas line," Begich said. "This is what delivering for Alaska looks like."

The race pits Begich, nephew of former Sen. Mark Begich, against Hill, a fisherman and retired educator from Lake Iliamna. Begich campaigned on the seven bills he sponsored that became law and held President Donald Trump's endorsement. During a debate last month, he defended the Iran War and criticized the Affordable Care Act.

Hill, who has fished commercially in Bristol Bay since age eight, raised $2.6 million for his campaign. His campaign was managed by Ship Creek Group. A political action committee called Wheel Dog PAC spent $3.6 million to support Hill. The campaign also directed resources to urge Alaska Democrats to vote against third-place candidate Eric Hafner.

Hafner, a federal inmate serving a sentence in New York, has received 7.2 percent of the vote. He is the only Democrat on the ballot for the state's sole House seat. Hafner spent no money on his campaign and has no known ties to Alaska. Democratic voters showed high turnout this year, with some receiving assistance to reach polling places.

Anchorage retiree Richetta Carey, who does not drive, was picked up by campaigners to vote early at the Midtown Mall. She chose the Democratic candidate based on advice from her father given five decades ago. Hill holds the Alaska Democratic Party endorsement, but the party label was not the only factor in voter decisions.

If Begich receives more than 50 percent of first-choice votes, he wins the seat outright. If he does not, the race proceeds to ranked-choice tabulation on Nov. 18. Ballots will continue to be counted for days following Election Day.