Three candidates vied for the position, Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich, and Democrat Mary Peltola.
Her opponents reacted on social media, with Begich congratulating Peltola on her win and encouraging her to embrace resource development to help working families.Peltola attributed her win to a campaign focusing on the issues that matter to Alaskans. “I think most Alaskan households are very concerned with making sure they have jobs with livable wages, appropriate housing options, affordable housing options, access to affordable health care, good schools.
However, Peltola stressed that she plans to represent all Alaskans. “I am more than my ethnicity and my gender and the place that I am from,” she said. On that ballot, Peltola will face Begich and Palin again, in another ranked-choice vote. She explained, “I am optimistic about ranked-choice voting. I did vote for it when it was on the ballot two years ago as an initiative, and I’m very hopeful that it will create a system where we have more middle-of-the-road, moderate candidates who really reflect Alaskans.”