Gov. Mike Dunleavy says Nick Begich is the best chance for Alaska to take back the congressional seat held now by Rep. Mary Peltola. He endorsed him in a statement on Monday.
“I encourage all Alaskans to get behind Republican Nick Begich in order to help Alaska turn our great country around,” he said. “We need change and we need it now.”
Begich has had endorsements rolling in. Before Nancy Dahlstrom dropped after the primary, he had already gained 40% of the organized Republican district committees’ in the state endorsing’ endorsements, along with six of the seven Republican women’s clubs and both Alaska Young Republican Clubs.
He also had Rep. Byron Donalds as an early endorser; Donalds is in President Donald Trump’s inner cycle of political advisers. Vivek Ramaswamy, the successful entrepreneur, came in early for Begich, and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah endorsed early.
Others came right over after the Dahlstrom drop. The National Republican Congressional Committee and Speaker Mike Johnson signed on immediately to help Nick Begich, as did Club for Growth.
Peltola was able to get just over 50% of the primary vote, but the turnout was under 18% in August, and political analysts believe turnout in November will be not only higher, but a more conservative voter base will show up. Kamala Harris is not going to excite many Alaska voters in the general election, nor will she secure much of the military vote, while Trump will have a big impact on voter turnout on the conservative side.
Days late and dollars short.
As always
Dah!