Former Republican governor and vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has lost a special election in Alaska to replace deceased Rep. Don Young (R). Democrat Mary Peltola thumped Palin and Republican Nick Begich III to take the seat.
The last time a Democrat held the seat was 49 years ago. Begich’s grandfather, Mark Begich, was the last Democrat to serve in Congress. His uncle, also a Democrat, is a former U.S. Senator.
Peltola, a former state legislator, celebrated her 49th birthday with the news that she had won the ranked-choice voting. The election was held in August, but absentee ballots could still arrive after Election Day and the results were tabulated after that time period had elapsed.
Peltola will be the first Alaska Native and first woman to serve as Alaska’s sole representative.
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After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, Democrats have swept election after election, putting Republican chances of recapturing the majority in both chambers of Congress in jeopardy. Women in particular have turned to the ballot box to express their anger at Republicans for pushing anti-abortion measures that outlaw the procedure in some states – even in cases of rape or the health of the mother.
“Alaskans have made clear they want a rational, steadfast, honest, and caring voice speaking for them in Washington, D.C., not opportunists and extremists associated with the Alaska Republican Party,” state Democratic party chair Michael Wenstrup said in a statement to the media after the election was decided.
Peltola’s campaign was notable for being positive and not attacking her vulnerable opponents. While Palin attacked her fellow Republican, she called Peltola a sweetheart and didn’t launch attacks against her.
“The region where I’m from, there is a big premium on being respectful, on not using inflammatory language or harsh tones,” Peltola told NPR.
“It’s been very attractive to a lot of people to have a message of working together and positivity and holding each other up and unity and as Americans none of us are each other’s enemy,” she said. “That is just a message that people really need to hear right now.”
All three candidates will face off again in the general election to determine who will hold the seat in the next Congress.
My position on the right to choose is simple: our government should not be in the business of telling people what they can and can’t do with their own bodies.
— Mary Peltola (@MaryPeltola) August 31, 2022
Mary Peltola's victory is a clear message from AK voters that they will not compromise their values or their rights at the ballot box. Mary is a pro-choice, pro-fish, common sense leader who knows what it takes to protect and create AK jobs. On to November!
— Mark Begich (@MarkBegich) September 1, 2022
Alaska Division of Elections have named Mary Peltola as the projected winner in the special U.S. House race to finish out the term of the late Congressman Don Young. pic.twitter.com/MS88IWodw9
— Sen. Lisa Murkowski (@lisamurkowski) September 1, 2022
They fucked around. They’re finding out.
— Santiago Mayer (@santiagomayer_) September 1, 2022
Serena wins and Palin loses and for one second the world feels in balance.
— Brian Koppelman (@briankoppelman) September 1, 2022
Rating change: in the wake of Mary Peltola's (D) defeat of Sarah Palin (R), @CookPolitical will be moving #AKAL's November rating from Likely R to Toss Up.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) September 1, 2022
