Congressional candidate Nick Begich raised $311,000 in the second quarter of 2024, a 44% increase over his previous quarter and his best showing yet for the 2024 campaign.
Overall, Begich’s campaign has raised about $919,000 with nearly 60% of it coming from Alaskans since he filed one year ago on July 13, 2023. Campaign money is used to help him travel around the state, connect with and listen to Alaskans, and pay for campaign expenses leading up to the Aug. 20 primary election.
Nancy Dahlstrom, a Republican candidate who filed in November, has raised about $860,000 in all, with more than 80% of it coming from outside Alaska, mostly from Washington, D.C. political groups.
But the fundraising behemoth in this campaign is incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola, who has raised some $2.4 million this quarter alone, primarily from Democrat groups outside Alaska, such as Planned Parenthood.
It’s an example of how the Republican vote is being split and weakened in Alaska by having two Republican candidates in the race. Combined, Begich and Dahlstrom have raised an amount competitive with incumbent Peltola, but those who donate to Republican campaigns have held back because there is not certainty as to who will come out ahead in the primary, and with an open primary, the same candidates will be seen on the November ballot, unless one of the Republicans drop.
At this point, polling shows Begich to be in a strong position to take on Peltola in November, but that when the ranked-choice voting scenario presents another challenge to Republicans, whereas Democrats only have one viable candidate.
Nevertheless, momentum continues to build in the Begich campaign, and his fundraising efforts prove it. His latest financial report for the second quarter of 2024 is his best quarter yet — a sign that Alaskans continue to rally around his message. Over 5,000 donations were from small-dollar contributors, and he is the only candidate who can make this claim.
“National Democrats and Outside special interests are determined to to keep this seat and continue to flood the state with money. But it’s clear who Alaskans want to represent them and I’m honored to have their support. When elected, it’s Alaskans I’ll represent,” said Begich. “I will not be a Representative who forgets where they come from or who they represent. Together we will move our state and nation forward, giving new hope and opportunities for future generations.”
The primary is just five weeks away.
Voters should be voting on policy positions which need to be published for comparison, not on how much money is being spent, or by whom.