Alaska’s race for the U.S. House of Representatives has surpassed $40 million in total spending, placing it among the highest-priced congressional contests in the country. The intense fundraising efforts by incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican challenger Nick Begich have significantly contributed to this financial frenzy.
Together, the candidates have raised over $13 million, with Peltola leading the charge by a remarkable five-to-one margin over Begich. However, the candidates’ fundraising pales in comparison to the $28 million spent by political committees and independent groups that are actively campaigning for or against the Alaska candidates. This level of independent spending is not only notable in the context of the candidates’ fundraising but also represents a significant investment on a national scale.
“I was actually really shocked that Alaska is the fourth race in terms of Super PAC spending this cycle,” said Sarah Bryner, research director for OpenSecrets, which monitors money in politics. “This race is viewed as a potentially winnable seat for Republicans, which is rare this election cycle, prompting them to go all out in their efforts, especially as they anticipate losses in other races.”
Democrats, meanwhile, are equally determined to retain the seat, reflecting the competitive nature of this race and its implications in a narrowly divided Congress. Although Alaska is not a swing state in presidential elections, its single U.S. House seat could play a pivotal role in determining control of the House.
Independent spending in the race is nearly evenly split between Peltola and Begich, totaling over $13 million for each candidate, with a significant portion allocated to negative advertising campaigns. Bryner noted an unusual aspect of this race: the majority of outside spending is coming from national party organizations, such as the Republican and Democratic congressional campaign committees.
“It is pretty wild that the funding for this race is almost entirely derived from the party committees or their associated Super PACs, which is not typical,” she remarked. “Usually, we see contributions from various political action committees representing specific interests, but this time it’s primarily about the two parties vying for control of the seat, with minimal involvement from other outside groups.”
Notably, some organizations are contributing substantial funds to support Peltola’s reelection. Vote Alaska Before Party, which previously backed Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski, has invested over $8 million in the 2024 House race, while Fairshake PAC, representing the cryptocurrency sector, has spent nearly $2 million promoting Peltola.
Another factor driving the high level of investment in the Alaska race is the scarcity of competitive races across the nation. Political Science Professor Bernard Tamas from Valdosta State University highlighted a long-term trend: “It’s gotten really extreme, with only a handful of districts that the major parties actually consider competitive.”
He pointed to gerrymandering as a contributing factor, where district boundaries are deliberately drawn to favor one party. However, Tamas noted that demographic trends and economic disparities also play a significant role, as voters tend to cluster in ideologically similar communities.
Alaska’s unique situation—with only one U.S. House seat—means that gerrymandering does not apply, allowing its representative to encompass a diverse constituency that spans a wide ideological spectrum.
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