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A quarter of Americans believe their financial situation has stopped them from finding “true love,” according to new research. That was revealed in a new survey of 2,000 general population Americans, which examined the intersection of finances, dating and finding…
MISSOULA, MT- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has moved the MT01 House race onto its list of races they believe they can win.
The Haines Borough Assembly will explore options for a possible private lease of the Port Chilkoot Dock at its July 28 meeting. The Assembly could vote on a moratorium for new tour permits for the Chilkoot Corridor. And, they’ll discuss a proposed alcohol tax that would be placed on the ballot. KHNS’ Melinda Munson talked to the Chilkat Valley News’ Will Steinfeld to find out more.
Melinda Munson: It looks like one of the major topics is going to be the cruise ship dock.
Will Steinfeld: We’ve been waiting for this one, right? … So we have a little more info on the Port Chilkoot Dock, the Haines’s cruise ship facility.
And if you remember a couple months ago, this company Global Ports Holding, came in unsolicited, kind of seemingly out of left field, and said, ‘Hey, we would like to lease your dock in some way, operate it, collect the revenue, bring a bunch of benefits to you.’
And since then, the borough has been considering, should we do some kind of deal like this? Have an outside company manage our cruise ship dock.
I think where we’ve been at for a long time, is Global Ports theoretically formulating some kind of official offer for the Assembly to consider, for the borough staff to consider. We haven’t gotten it for a long time. This week, Global Ports has submitted a letter to the borough that seems to say the borough is going forward with a competitive bidding process.
So what that would be is the borough puts out this request for proposals … Instead of having the borough just consider this one offer from Global Ports, they might have a whole suite of offers to consider. And we’ve heard from other companies in the region that they would be interested in participating in something like this.
We haven’t heard that from the borough yet, and there’s some different language between how Global Ports is describing it and how the borough is describing it. Global Ports says in their letter that the borough, their wording is “intends” to proceed with competitive bidding, which makes it sound like it’s probably going forward. We haven’t heard a public announcement of that from the borough manager, Alexa Fullerton. And the way she writes it in the assembly documents for this week is that there’s a potential request for proposal for management. So “potential” versus ”intends” to proceed seems like different levels of certainty about this. But we’ll find out more on Tuesday whether it’s going forward.
And so the gist of the letter from Global Port Holdings seems to be that they have invested a lot of time and money thus far into the idea of a private lease and would like some kind of … acknowledgement?
I think acknowledgement is right. And they’re not saying we don’t want this to happen. They’re saying we would participate … But they say, like you said, we’ve invested a lot into this, and so we want some kind of benefit. Or some would call it a leg up maybe , or a recognition of the investment they put in. What they’ve asked for in the letter is best and final offer status, which seems like it would mean they can match whatever offer that comes in from a different company.
And they’re talking about having given commercially sensitive and proprietary information to the borough in previous talks, and not wanting that released publicly as the basis for this request for proposals. So we’ll see what the borough agrees to. It seems like there’s maybe room for negotiation here. But we just don’t have a ton of info to know what the conversations have been like between the borough and the company, and what might happen going forward.
Moving on from the cruise ship dock, there has been a recommendation from the Chilkoot Corridor working group for a moratorium on new permits. Tell us what’s going on with that topic.
This one will be just a simple vote – this meeting on whether to do this moratorium or not. If they simply voted it through for a year, the borough would not give out new tour permits in the whole Chilkoot Corridor area. So that’s the state park facility around the lake. That’s the bridge area. Just that general tour zone that all these tours go to.
I think this comes out of a lot of discussion that people are familiar with over many years about how to manage crowding in that area. How to manage interactions between bears, and tourists, and residents and wildlife interactions. This group’s job at Chilkoot Corridor Working Group was to come up with some kind of solution or ideas about how to make the area function better, and this is t one of them. So we’ll see how the Assembly goes on on this one.
Okay, Will. And then a possible alcohol tax will be discussed at Tuesday’s meeting.
I think it’s important to say that what they’re considering is to put this on the ballot for the voters to decide ultimately.
But the content of it is just a new 2% sales tax on alcohol. When you buy alcohol, that new 2% sales tax would just go into the General Fund…
There’s a bunch of ways residents will have input into this. First, the Assembly needs to vote to put it on the ballot in the first place, and that’ll include two public hearings that people can get their input on. If that passes the Assembly, it’ll be on the ballot. And then the residents in October will vote whether to put this into place.
A really important question, Will, that has nothing to do with the assembly meeting that’s coming up. Did you make it to the fair, and did you see the pig races?
I saw the pig races. I was kind of disappointed when I heard pig races, I thought it would be people on the pigs. There were no people on the pigs, but it was still very cool.
Every year is a new fair where we learn something new about rural Alaska.
The post Listen: Haines assembly to discuss leasing Port Chilkoot dock, alcohol tax and more appeared first on Chilkat Valley News.
A bee is seen pollinating a backyard chive flower in Alaska. (Photo by Timothy Bundy)
On a bright June morning in Soldotna, a homeowner steps into the yard with a cup of coffee and notices a bumblebee working its way across a patch of blooming chives. It’s a small moment, but one that reflects a larger truth: the choices Alaskans make in their gardens, on their land and in their communities can have a meaningful impact on the state’s native bees.
Alaska is home to more than a hundred species of native bees, from familiar bumblebees to tiny solitary bees that nest in the ground or in hollow stems. These insects pollinate wildflowers, berry bushes and many of the plants that support wildlife and local food production. As Alaska’s climate changes and invasive species spread, the role of everyday Alaskans in supporting pollinators has never been more important.
Plant flowers that feed bees
One of the simplest and most effective ways to help native bees is to plant flowers that provide nectar and pollen throughout the growing season. Early‑blooming willows, mid‑summer fireweed and late‑season asters offer food when bees need it most. Even small patches of flowers in yards, community gardens or along driveways can make a difference.
Native plants are especially valuable because they adapt to Alaska’s climate and support the bees that evolved alongside them. But many common garden plants — such as chives, raspberries and sunflowers — also provide excellent forage.
Plant native flowers in clumps rather than scattering individual plants, because larger patches are easier for bees to find and allow them to gather food more efficiently.
Protect nesting habitat
Unlike honeybees, most native bees in Alaska do not live in hives. Many nest in the ground, while others use hollow stems, old rodent burrows or natural cavities in wood. Leaving parts of your yard slightly wild—with bare soil, dead stems or undisturbed corners—can provide nesting habitat for solitary bees.
Avoiding heavy mulch, landscape fabric or frequent tilling can also help ground‑nesting bees find places to raise their young.
Limit pesticide use
Pesticides can harm bees directly or reduce the availability of flowers they depend on. If you choose to use pesticides, apply them sparingly, follow label instructions carefully and avoid spraying when flowers are in bloom or when bees are active.
Many gardeners find that healthy soil, diverse plantings and natural predators reduce the need for chemical treatments.
Support local efforts to monitor bees
Community science programs, including the Alaska Bee Atlas, rely on volunteers to help document where bees live and how their populations are changing. Participating in these efforts — or simply sharing observations from your yard — helps scientists build a clearer picture of Alaska’s pollinators.
Even small contributions, such as photographing bees or planting a pollinator‑friendly garden, can support statewide conservation efforts.
Reduce the spread of invasive plants
Invasive species such as white sweetclover and bird vetch can outcompete native plants and alter the availability of food for bees. Learning to identify invasive plants, removing them when possible, and choosing non‑invasive garden species can help protect Alaska’s natural habitats.
Local Cooperative Extension offices and conservation districts offer resources to help homeowners manage invasive plants responsibly.
A shared responsibility
Supporting native bees does not require large tracts of land or specialized knowledge. It begins with simple choices — planting flowers, protecting nesting sites, reducing pesticide use and staying informed about changes in Alaska’s ecosystems.
On that June morning in Soldotna, the homeowner watches the bumblebee disappear into the chives and realizes that small actions can add up. Across Alaska, thousands of similar moments are helping create a landscape where native bees can thrive.
This is the fifth of a six commentary series about Alaska’s native bees.
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By: James Brooks and Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon
The Alaska Legislature opened its third special session of 2026 with no bill, few lawmakers and little hope.
A handful of legislators gathered Monday in the state Capitol at Juneau to begin a 30-day session called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the failure of a compromise bill that would have provided a tax break to the developer of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.
Dunleavy and the state House opposed the addition of a corporate income tax on a handful of privately owned oil and gas companies that don’t currently pay one. That provision was intended to get support for the bill in the Senate.
But on Monday, the governor had no new alternative bill ready for legislators as the special session began.
In a statement on social media, Dunleavy said, “Before reintroducing the legislation, my administration is going to continue meeting with all parties to determine the best path forward to an agreement.”
Answering questions about those meetings, the governor’s office said it had nothing more to add.
‘I don’t believe the Legislature can do much now’
The pipeline’s lead developer, Glenfarne, has said that a reduction in the state’s petroleum property tax is necessary for it to obtain the financing needed to build the pipeline.
Passing a bill into law requires 21 votes in the House, 11 in the Senate, and the assent of the governor. In a special session called by the governor, lawmakers may only work on topics designated by the governor. In Dunleavy’s latest proclamation, he limited work to the proposed gas pipeline.
“It sounded like (the governor) is hopeful that there could be maybe some new developments, but that’s going to be his negotiation. I don’t believe the Legislature can do much now at this point,” said House Minority Leader DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, at the Capitol on Monday.
With no legislation to consider, members of the House and Senate held pro forma “technical sessions” before adjourning until Friday, when a bill could be available.
Because no substantive action was expected on Monday, only two legislators traveled to Juneau on the first day of the special session. Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Johnson were joined by Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau. In the Senate, Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, presided over an otherwise empty chamber.
The state House has 40 members, the state Senate has 20.
Down the hall from the House and Senate chambers, a group of cruise ship tourists watched a video about the history of the Capitol in a darkened committee room. At 10 a.m., there were more tourists than legislators.
Edgmon said that until the governor introduces a substantive bill, legislators will mostly stay away from the Capitol.
“The plan in the House is to have technical sessions, as you just saw, and to save time and certainly money (by) not bringing the Legislature back until we have something in front of us that’s worthy of bringing the entire body back … because it’s quite expensive to bring the Legislature back into session,” he said.
Typically, legislators have budgeted $1 million for a 30-day special session.
Fate of ‘pass-through’ tax is a key question
The current deadlock in negotiations is a “pass through entities tax” that would levy a form of the state’s corporate income tax on privately owned oil and gas companies, including Armstrong Oil and Gas, HEX, and Hilcorp.
That tax was added to the bill in the Senate to garner the votes of senators who are skeptical of the underlying bill, which would replace the state’s petroleum property tax with a tax on gas pumped through the as-yet-unbuilt pipeline.
The result would be billions of dollars in deferred tax revenue over a 30-year period for the state and municipalities along the route. But some lawmakers worry that the switch could also result in lower oil and gas production taxes because of writeoffs available for companies who spend on oil and gas infrastructure.
The new tax would offset that possibility, but has drawn opposition from the governor and from legislators who worry about the effects of imposing a tax on companies that are actively drilling for oil and gas within the state.
Hilcorp is expected to drill 27 gas wells in Cook Inlet this year, at a time when the region is facing a shortage of natural gas. Some legislators say Hilcorp lobbying was a key factor in the defeat of the compromise bill earlier this month.
Edgmon said he spoke with Dunleavy on Sunday. With the state’s primary election on Aug. 18 and general elections in November, time is running out for any chance of action, Edgmon said.
“Every day that goes by gets that much more difficult to reconvene the Legislature and to get them refocused on a bill,” Edgmon said.
“And so I think the clock is ticking very loudly right now, and the governor realizes that.”
Dunleavy cannot run for another term in office, and January will see a new governor and a new Legislature. If a bill doesn’t pass before then, Johnson said, “general fatigue” about the idea of a gas pipeline is part of the reason why.
“I think it’s the years of times that we tried to take this up and we never moved it forward. And so there’s just this sense that somehow it can’t be done,” she said. “I mean, I know there’s a sense of having this roadblock out there, and I think that’s kind of pervasive.”
The Alaska House gavels in for the third special session in 2026 on the proposed AKLNG gasline project, with House Speaker Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, presiding and Reps. DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, and Sara Hannan, D-Juneau, in attendance on July 27, 2026. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)
The Alaska Legislature opened its third special session of 2026 with no bill, few lawmakers and little hope.
A handful of legislators gathered Monday in the state Capitol at Juneau to begin a 30-day session called by Gov. Mike Dunleavy after the failure of a compromise bill that would have provided a tax break to the developer of the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline.
Dunleavy and the state House opposed the addition of a corporate income tax on a handful of privately owned oil and gas companies that don’t currently pay one. That provision was intended to get support for the bill in the Senate.
But on Monday, the governor had no new alternative bill ready for legislators as the special session began.
In a statement on social media, Dunleavy said, “Before reintroducing the legislation, my administration is going to continue meeting with all parties to determine the best path forward to an agreement.”
Answering questions about those meetings, the governor’s office said it had nothing more to add.
‘I don’t believe the Legislature can do much now’
The pipeline’s lead developer, Glenfarne, has said that a reduction in the state’s petroleum property tax is necessary for it to obtain the financing needed to build the pipeline.
Passing a bill into law requires 21 votes in the House, 11 in the Senate, and the assent of the governor. In a special session called by the governor, lawmakers may only work on topics designated by the governor. In Dunleavy’s latest proclamation, he limited work to the proposed gas pipeline.
“It sounded like (the governor) is hopeful that there could be maybe some new developments, but that’s going to be his negotiation. I don’t believe the Legislature can do much now at this point,” said House Minority Leader DeLena Johnson, R-Palmer, at the Capitol on Monday.
With no legislation to consider, members of the House and Senate held pro forma “technical sessions” before adjourning until Friday, when a bill could be available.
Because no substantive action was expected on Monday, only two legislators traveled to Juneau on the first day of the special session. Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, and Johnson were joined by Rep. Sara Hannan, D-Juneau. In the Senate, Sen. Jesse Kiehl, D-Juneau, presided over an otherwise empty chamber.
The state House has 40 members, the state Senate has 20.
Down the hall from the House and Senate chambers, a group of cruise ship tourists watched a video about the history of the Capitol in a darkened committee room. At 10 a.m., there were more tourists than legislators.
Edgmon said that until the governor introduces a substantive bill, legislators will mostly stay away from the Capitol.
“The plan in the House is to have technical sessions, as you just saw, and to save time and certainly money (by) not bringing the Legislature back until we have something in front of us that’s worthy of bringing the entire body back … because it’s quite expensive to bring the Legislature back into session,” he said.
Typically, legislators have budgeted $1 million for a 30-day special session.
Fate of ‘pass-through’ tax is a key question
The current deadlock in negotiations is a “pass through entities tax” that would levy a form of the state’s corporate income tax on privately owned oil and gas companies, including Armstrong Oil and Gas, HEX, and Hilcorp.
Corporate income tax change remains key sticking point for Alaska gas pipeline bill
That tax was added to the bill in the Senate to garner the votes of senators who are skeptical of the underlying bill, which would replace the state’s petroleum property tax with a tax on gas pumped through the as-yet-unbuilt pipeline.
The result would be billions of dollars in deferred tax revenue over a 30-year period for the state and municipalities along the route. But some lawmakers worry that the switch could also result in lower oil and gas production taxes because of writeoffs available for companies who spend on oil and gas infrastructure.
The new tax would offset that possibility, but has drawn opposition from the governor and from legislators who worry about the effects of imposing a tax on companies that are actively drilling for oil and gas within the state.
Hilcorp is expected to drill 27 gas wells in Cook Inlet this year, at a time when the region is facing a shortage of natural gas. Some legislators say Hilcorp lobbying was a key factor in the defeat of the compromise bill earlier this month.
Edgmon said he spoke with Dunleavy on Sunday. With the state’s primary election on Aug. 18 and general elections in November, time is running out for any chance of action, Edgmon said.
“Every day that goes by gets that much more difficult to reconvene the Legislature and to get them refocused on a bill,” Edgmon said.
“And so I think the clock is ticking very loudly right now, and the governor realizes that.”
Dunleavy cannot run for another term in office, and January will see a new governor and a new Legislature. If a bill doesn’t pass before then, Johnson said, “general fatigue” about the idea of a gas pipeline is part of the reason why.
“I think it’s the years of times that we tried to take this up and we never moved it forward. And so there’s just this sense that somehow it can’t be done,” she said. “I mean, I know there’s a sense of having this roadblock out there, and I think that’s kind of pervasive.”
By: Corinne Smith, Alaska Beacon
Members of the House Judiciary and State Affairs committees questioned Alaska Division of Elections director Carol Beecher on Wednesday about the state’s response to a U.S. Senate candidate with the same name as the incumbent — Dan Sullivan. It was the second investigatory hearing on the subject after elections officials failed to appear at an initial hearing in June. Alaska Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom, who oversees the division, declined an invitation to appear.
At issue was the state’s decision to disqualify the U.S. Senate candidate Dan J. Sullivan of Petersburg and its determination that he was not a “good faith” candidate. The Alaska Supreme Court nixed that decision in late June.
Beecher testified for nearly two hours and defended the division’s actions from the choice to disqualify Sullivan to the choice to list him without a party affiliation on the primary ballot. She also answered questions about how 3,500 Alaskan residents received notices that they have inactive voter status pending verification of citizenship.
Since the first legislative hearing, the Sullivan from Petersburg challenged the state’s decision and the fast-tracked case reached the Alaska Supreme Court. The court upheld a lower court’s ruling that Sullivan was eligible and said the division did not have the authority to add additional eligibility requirements, like whether a candidate was acting in “good faith,” beyond what is outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
Lawmakers raised concerns about how the division chose to list the candidates on the primary ballot. They asked Beecher about why the division chose to list the challenger as “Sullivan, Daniel J, Jr.” without his party affiliation as a registered Republican. It listed the incumbent senator as “Sullivan, Dan S.” and identified him as the incumbent and a Republican.
The two Sullivans are among 16 candidates for the U.S. Senate seat, including Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, in the primary election on August 18. The top four vote-getters will advance to the general election on November 3.
Beecher defended the division’s position that Sullivan was running with the purpose to confuse voters. She cited complaints filed by national and state Republican groups, Sullivan’s party affiliation as Republican and campaign materials as evidence of his intention to mimic the U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan and confuse Alaska voters.
“The division acted then to prevent manipulation of the ballot and to protect voters from purposeful confusion, consistent with its responsibility to maintain fair, neutral, and trustworthy elections,” she said.
She noted that the division’s action was unprecedented, but said the situation merited such a response. “The division understood all along that this action could be challenged in court, and recognizes the court’s authority to review these important questions,” she said.
Judiciary committee chair Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, had several questions about how the division determined Sullivan was not a “good faith” candidate. “Where is the evidence that he did this to trick voters, to mislead the voters whom we are here to protect?” he asked.
“The information that we were presented with painted for us a picture of someone who was trying to confuse the ballot,” Beecher replied.
Gray probed the division’s criteria later in the hearing.“In your opinion, Director Beecher, what does it mean for a candidate to have a good faith intention to serve?” Gray asked.
“In my opinion, that it would be someone who actually wants to win, and is running because they want to to get the seat,” Beecher replied. “And in this situation, all of the facts that were presented to the division were that this was an individual who was not running to be what I would call a true candidate. This individual was running to confuse the ballot. It was an intentional attempt to gain access to the ballot for the purpose of confusing.”
Lawmakers also raised this issue of of how the candidate was listed on the primary ballot after the state Supreme Court ruling. The challenger was listed as “Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.” when he has publicly stated he goes by his first name as “Dan.”
Beecher said it was a choice by the division. “And it’s a bit of first in time, first in place, that Dan Sullivan has already been on the ballot prior, as Dan Sullivan is known as Dan Sullivan,” she said, referring to the incumbent senator. “So it was simply a way to differentiate between the two.”
Rep. Genevieve Mina, D-Anchorage, asked Beecher about the division’s decision not to list Sullivan’s Republican party affiliation.
Beecher said she believes it was also within the division’s authority to do so. “Whether or not it has to be on the ballot, we believe that has been left to the discretion of the division, and in line with that, we made that determination,” she said.
“It also could still be litigated,” Beecher added.
Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks and chair of the House State Affairs Committee, said she was concerned about the precedent and the agency’s discretion to remove party information that could be informative for voters.
“Having his party affiliation may help those voters feel like they’re more informed and directed to a candidate they would rather support,” she said. “But not having his affiliation included there seems to provide less information and be more confusing.”
NOTN- A man in Juneau is facing assault charges after police say he threatened a neighbor with a handgun during a backyard dispute in the Mendenhall Valley.
Below is the full information release by JPD;
On Saturday, July 25, 2026, at approximately 7:16 p.m., the Juneau Police Department responded to a residence in the 3200 block of Tongass Boulevard following a report of an assault involving a firearm.
The preliminary investigation determined that an adult male suspect confronted another adult male in the victim’s backyard at his residence in the 3200 block of Tongass Boulevard following a verbal dispute. During the confrontation, the suspect allegedly threatened to shoot the victim while displaying a handgun. A physical struggle ensued, during which the victim was able to prevent the suspect from firing the weapon. The suspect then fled the area on foot with the firearm.
Through the investigation, officers identified the suspect as Hemaloto Fotu, 55, of Juneau, who was believed to have returned to his nearby residence in the 3200 block of Tongass Boulevard. Due to the nature of the incident and the belief that the suspect was armed, members of the Juneau Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), and Drone Team responded to assist.
Using the loudspeaker on an armored vehicle, officers established communication with two occupants inside the residence—an adult female and a juvenile male. Both exited the residence without incident. Shortly afterward, officers deployed a drone inside the residence and located Fotu asleep in a bedroom. Fotu awoke to the sound of the drone and, after continued verbal commands from officers, exited the residence and was taken into custody without further incident.
During the subsequent search of the residence, investigators located a handgun believed to have been used during the assault.
Fotu was arrested and lodged at Lemon Creek Correctional Center on the following charges:
- Assault in the Third Degree (a Class C Felony)
- Assault in the 4th Degree (a Class A Misdemeanor)
This investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information regarding this incident who has not yet spoken with investigators is encouraged to contact the Juneau Police Department at (907) 586-0600. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Juneau Crime Line at www.juneaucrimeline.com
By: James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
On July 17, the leading Democratic candidate in Alaska’s U.S. House race suspended his campaign and announced his support for independent House candidate Bill Hill.
In an interview last week, Democrat Matt Schultz said his decision didn’t come from a lack of desire or a lack of support — it was simply a matter of money.
“One of the most disturbing things about the election process is how much … is determined by money, and I did not have a viable financial path forward,” Schultz said on July 17.
Schultz will remain on the ballot for the Aug. 18 statewide primary but is expected to withdraw after the results become final.
Campaign finance reports through June 30 showed Schultz’s campaign with $470,681 in cash on hand. Hill’s campaign had $702,626. Incumbent Republican Rep. Nick Begich’s campaign had more than $3.2 million.
Begich and Hill are also being boosted by third-party groups. In Hill’s case, Wheel Dog PAC is preparing to spend more than $1 million and has already sent mailers to voters across the state. The National Republican Congressional Committee and other groups are spending similarly to back Begich.
While Schultz has lagged in financial support, public opinion polling in the spring found him significantly ahead of Hill in Alaska’s top-four primary, but in head-to-head polling, Hill appeared to perform better against Begich than Schultz did. Neither polled ahead of Begich.
In Alaska’s election system, voters will pick one of the 14 U.S. House candidates during the Aug. 18 statewide primary. The top four vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the general election.
“If I had made it through the primary, which — I think there’s a real good chance I would have been the the frontrunner — but I would not have had the the financial war chest required to take on Nick Begich, and the priority here is to make sure that Nick Begich does not get back into office,” Schultz said.
As a candidate, Schultz has been a solid progressive. Speaking to the Beacon and writing in a column to the Anchorage Daily News, he said he feels that some Democrats are too motivated to seek a political “middle,” even when it doesn’t make sense.
“I think that shifting to the middle is not inherently virtuous. When we think about history, there are issues like slavery or in World War II when the Nazi Party was on the rise — there’s no value in saying ‘let’s be a moderate and meet them in the middle and compromise,’” he said. “I think this is a time in history right now. The reason I was so motivated to flip the House of Representatives is because the Republican Party is pulling us into fascism. They’re attacking our democracy and handing over our freedom to billionaires and trillionaires. The stakes are so very high, and yet the folks on our side of the playing field here seem to be willing to kneel and beg for our rights instead of standing and demanding them, and I think that happened in my race as well.”
Alaska’s labor unions have backed Hill, as did the Alaska Center, a progressive environmental and pro-democracy group that hasn’t supported an independent for U.S. House since Alyse Galvin in 2020.
The Alaska Democratic Party itself declined to endorse Schultz during its April convention in Cordova, leaving open the possibility that it would support Hill instead of a party member.
The week before Schultz’s decision, the National Republican Campaign Committee signaled that it was preparing to run ads in favor of Schultz to boost his performance and help Begich.
Both Schultz and Hill released statements denouncing the strategy.
Under Alaska’s general-election system, voters are asked to rank their preferred candidates. The candidate with the lowest number of No. 1 votes is eliminated, and that candidate’s supporters have the option to give the vote to a second choice instead.
“Matt Schultz and the Alaska Democrat Party have been outspoken supporters for ranked choice voting, but when given the opportunity to present the public with their own candidate they chose to withdraw,” said Paul Smith, Begich’s campaign manager. “Despite raising nearly $1 million, making the case to progressives and traveling throughout the state, Democrats have proven that they support ranked choice voting only when it advantages them. Regardless, Alaskan voters will reject these political games and re-elect the most productive freshman Congressman on record, Congressman Nick Begich.”
Since 2022, when the system was used for the first time, statistics show that a significant number of voters have chosen to not rank a second or subsequent choice.
Hill and Schultz each said they believe that ads from the NRCC could have engendered bad feelings, reducing the odds that supporters would rank the other candidate.
Schultz said his top priority is ending Republican control of the U.S. House, and that holds whether or not he is elected.
“Once I recognized that I didn’t have a viable path forward, then it didn’t really matter what I’m being asked to sacrifice. I had to sacrifice (my candidacy) to make sure that we prevent that majority,” he said.
Reached by phone last week, Hill thanked Schultz.
“In his statement, he made it clear that it’s not about me or him. It’s about giving Alaskans the best chance to beat Nick Begich this fall,” he said.
“I think we’re both aligned on a lot of things that are not going right for Alaskans,” Hill said. “You look at things like, well, the cost of gas and groceries, the loss of health care to a lot of Alaskans who just can’t afford it with the loss of the (Affordable Care Act) premiums. There’s a lot of things that are going on in the House right now that are not benefiting Alaskans, and we definitely need to make sure that, in the long run, that there’s a change made there.”
One major difference between Hill and Schultz is that while Schultz sought to eliminate Republican control of the House, Hill is willing to join a Republican majority under certain circumstances.
“I am not committing to who I’m going to vote for (Speaker of the House, if elected), but I will tell you right up front that I’m not going to vote for Mike Johnson to be Speaker because he does not represent my values at all, and he has been the lead in doing things that have impacted Alaska negatively,” Hill said.
Asked what he will do to earn the votes of Schultz supporters, Hill said he understands that they may have concerns about his candidacy, “but I will assure them that I am there to make sure that we have a government that’s going to work on providing Alaskans with the opportunities and tools needed to build good lives, and that means things like making sure everybody has health care, to make sure that our school systems are good and solid, and providing the education that our that our children need.”