OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The special election in Alaska to replace the late Republican Rep. Don Young has been called by The Associated Press.
Former Alaska GOP Gov. Sarah Palin has been projected to advance from her primary for Alaska’s at-large congressional district.
Palin, Republican Nick Begich, and Democrat Mary Peltola have all been projected to advance to November’s general election for the state’s sole U.S. House seat.
“In the general election, which is slated for November, the state will use ranked choice voting, where the candidate to receive more than 50 percent of the vote prevails in the election,” The Hill reported.
“But if no one gets more than half of the votes, the candidate with the fewest votes gets knocked out and any voters who chose that eliminated candidate as their first pick has their second choice votes applied to the applicable candidates. The process continues until one candidate receives more than half of the votes,” the outlet added.
Sarah Palin advances to general election for Alaska House seat https://t.co/geXO0bBPiD pic.twitter.com/ZRiworDQiT
— New York Post (@nypost) August 17, 2022
In April former President Donald Trump endorsed Palin, a long-time ally.
“Wonderful patriot Sarah Palin of Alaska just announced that she is running for Congress, and that means there will be a true America First fighter on the ballot to replace the late and legendary Congressman Don Young,” Trump noted in a statement put out by his Save America PAC.
“Sarah shocked many when she endorsed me very early in 2016, and we won big,” Trump continued. “Now, it’s my turn!
“Sarah has been a champion for Alaska values, Alaska energy, Alaska jobs, and the great people of Alaska. She was one of the most popular governors because she stood up to corruption in both State Government and the Fake News Media,” Trump added. “Sarah lifted the [late Sen. John] McCain presidential campaign out of the dumps despite the fact that she had to endure some very evil, stupid, and jealous people within the campaign itself.
“They were out to destroy her, but she didn’t let that happen,” the former president continued. “Sarah Palin is tough and smart and will never back down, and I am proud to give her my Complete and Total Endorsement, and encourage all Republicans to unite behind this wonderful person and her campaign to put America First.”
NEW!
President Donald J. Trump announces his endorsement of Sarah Palin pic.twitter.com/9y0a39htCj
— Liz Harrington (@realLizUSA) April 4, 2022
A week prior, Palin took to Facebook to announce that she would run for the seat held by Young, 88, since 1973.
“Today I’m announcing my candidacy for the U.S. House seat representing Alaska. Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years,” Palin wrote. “I realize that I have very big shoes to fill, and I plan to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by offering myself up in the name of service to the state he loved and fought for because I share that passion for Alaska and the United States of America.”
She added: “I first entered politics 30 years ago, when I was elected to city council in Wasilla. I still live in Wasilla; my family is here; my son goes to school here. My heart will always be in Alaska, even when I’m representing this great state in Washington, D.C.”
“America is at a tipping point. As I’ve watched the far left destroy the country, I knew I had to step up and join the fight. The people of the great State of Alaska, like others all over the country, are struggling with out-of-control inflation, empty shelves, and gas prices that are among the highest in the world. We need energy security for this country, and Alaska can help provide that – but only if the federal government gets out of the way and lets the free market do what it does best,” Palin said.
“At this critical time in our nation’s history, we need leaders who will combat the left’s socialist, big-government, America-last agenda. This country was built by heroes, and the radical left dishonors their legacies by opening our borders to illegal immigrants, mortgaging our children’s future, and selling out our nation’s interests to the highest bidder,” she continued.
“I’m in this race to win it and join the fight for freedom alongside other patriots willing to sacrifice all to save our country,” she concluded.
