Mysterious Text Boosts Convicted Felon in Alaska’s U.S. House Race

TL/DR –

Ahead of the Tuesday primary for Alaska’s U.S. House seat, an unidentified group is promoting Democratic candidate Eric Hafner, a federal inmate serving a 20-year sentence in New York. The promotion was done through an unattributed text message, leading to questions about its legality. The primary ballot for Alaska’s lone U.S. House seat features 15 candidates, and the top four vote-getters will proceed to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.

Alaska’s U.S. House Race Sees Unknown Entity Promoting Incarcerated Candidate

In an unusual twist to Alaska’s U.S. House race, a maverick text message emerged on Friday endorsing incarcerated felon Eric Hafner ahead of the Tuesday’s primary. The origin of the message remains a mystery with no identifiable sponsor, sparking questions about its legality.

The race features Republican incumbent Rep. Nick Begich, independent contender Bill Hill and Democrat Eric Hafner, who’s currently serving a 20-year sentence in New York. Alaska’s unique election laws allow the top four vote-getters in the primary to proceed to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. This opens up the field for other candidates to join Begich and Hill.

However, with Democrat Matt Schultz, an endorsed candidate from the Alaska Democratic Party, withdrawing from the race to support Hill, the ballot is hoped to be free of progressive contenders.

Previous efforts to boost Hafner by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) were seen in 2024 with an intent to strengthen Begich’s chances. However, NRCC hasn’t confirmed its involvement in this year’s attempt to promote Hafner.

Simultaneously, anonymously backed Cornerstone Founders PAC reported expenditure of $463,000 on ads promoting Republican Clay Strickland and Libertarian Clay McDermott. This strategy aligns with Alaska’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race, where independent groups are spending in support of fringe candidates to dilute votes from leading candidates.

While ads proclaim Hafner’s alignment with Bernie Sanders and opposition to Trump, pro-Hill Wheel Dog PAC spent $50,000 countering this message, urging voters to support Hill, a “real Alaskan.”

Despite Hill raising $1.3 million for his campaign, he trails Begich, who raised $3.9 million. Multiple PACs are also contributing to support Begich, including pro-cryptocurrency group Defend American Jobs, which recently spent nearly $500,000 on ads backing the Republican.

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