Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom talks with city officials before a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, June 24, 2024, at Aurora Harbor. She dropped out of the U.S. House race on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom talks with city officials before a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday, June 24, 2024, at Aurora Harbor. She dropped out of the U.S. House race on Friday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom drops out of U.S. House race after third-place primary finish

Democratic incumbent Mary Peltola now faces one-on-one matchup against Republican Nick Begich III.

This is a developing story.

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom dropped out of the race for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat on Friday, following a third-place finish in Tuesday’s primary, setting up a one-on-one general election matchup between incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican challenger Nick Begich III.

Dahlstrom’s withdrawal means Republicans will avoid their fears of repeating the outcome of the 2022 election, when two major Republican challengers — Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin — split the opposing vote against Peltola. Alaska’s ranked choice voting means in theory Republican voters could check off both candidates on the ballot, but many opted not to do so in 2022.

Begich had stated he would withdraw from the general election if he finished third in the primary. Dahlstrom, who was endorsed by former President Donald Trump, declined to make the same pledge and stated Tuesday after the initial primary results were counted she intended to remain in the race.

She changed her decision in an announcement Friday.

“I entered this race because Alaskans deserve better representation than what we have received from Mary Peltola in Washington,” Dahlstrom said in a prepared statement. “At this time, the best thing I can do to see that goal realized is to withdraw my name from the general election ballot and end my campaign.”

A total of 12 U.S. House candidates were on the primary ballot, with the top four finishers advancing to the general election under Alaska’s open primary system, but only Peltola, Begich and Dahlstrom were considered major candidates — with none of the others getting even 1% of the primary vote.

As of Thursday afternoon Peltola had 50.36% of the statewide vote, Begich III 26.5% and Dahlstrom 19.96%. In fourth place is Republican Matt Salisbury with 0.6% and in fifth place (and thus would advance with Dahlstrom’s withdrawal) is Alaska Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe with 0.57%.

Begich, in a social media post, congratulated Dahlstrom for a “strong campaign.”

“Today we move forward unified in the effort to replace Mary Peltola, who has proven by her alignment with the left that she is not the moderate she claimed to be,” Begich wrote.

Alaska’s congressional race is among the most contested in the country as Republicans look to maintain their slim majority in the House. Peltola became the first Democrat elected to the seat in 50 years in 2022, following the unexpected death of longtime incumbent Don Young.

• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 1

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Aaron Surma, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Juneau and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Council, gives a solo testimony to the Juneau Board of Education on Feb. 6, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
On top of a flat-funded BSA, Juneau Board of Education considers loss of local funding and grants

Principals and mental health advocate give feedback as the Juneau School District plans FY26 budget.

Cars arrive at Juneau International Airport on Thursday, July 11, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau’s airport asking long-ago manager Dave Palmer to return temporarily amidst leadership changes

Palmer would return in April as longtime manager retires; Assembly removes two airport board members.

Pittman’s Pub, which has a bar tent located next to the Hooter chairlift and Fish Creek Lodge, will not open this season, its co-owners told Eaglecrest Ski Area’s board of directors Thursday. Eaglecrest Ski Area photo)
Pittman’s Pub owners say they won’t open at Eaglecrest this year due to cost, space difficulties

Couple says they would like to take over ski area’s restaurant, continue as a year-round operation.

The Alaska Senate unanimously approves a bill Friday rejecting a recommendation to adjust lawmakers’ salaries for inflation. (Official Alaska State Legislature livestream)
Alaska Senate unanimously rejects automatic salary hikes for top state officials

Commission recommendation for adjustments matching inflation takes effect unless lawmakers say no.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Feb. 3, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

A sexual assault kit. (Photo from Alaska Department of Public Safety)
Gov. Dunleavy proposes bill to streamline Alaska sexual assault kit tracking system

Gov. Mike Dunleavy has introduced legislation to set a statewide tracking system… Continue reading

Most Read