Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola finished first in Alaska’s 2024 House primary, boosting her position as she fights for re-election.
With most votes counted, Peltola sat at just above 50 percent in a crowded field, in which the top four candidates will advance to the general election. Behind her was Nick Begich, a Republican whose family has a recognizable name in Alaska politics, with 27 percent. Begich was also a candidate in 2022. In third place was another Republican, Nancy Dahlstrom, Alaska’s lieutenant governor. She had Donald Trump’s endorsement, but that only got her 20 percent of the vote.
In fourth place at the moment is Matthew Salisbury, a Republican who has 0.62 percent of the vote. He is just 60 votes ahead of the fifth place position.
Mary Peltola Leads AK House Primary
The November general election for the Alaska House seat will feature four candidates. That election will be on a ranked-choice vote basis, with the bottom candidates being eliminated and their votes redistributed until a candidate has obtained a majority.
Voter turnout was low. With 96 percent of precincts reporting, turnout was at about 16 percent. Compare this with the 2020 general election, which saw 61 percent turnout in Alaska – expect to see many more votes in November.
Mary Peltola was first elected to Congress in a 2022 special election following the death of Don Young, becoming the first Alaska Native to serve. Her victory over Sarah Palin was a major upset in a state with no elected Democrats in Congress since Mark Begich won the Senate race in 2008.
Though it looks red on presidential election nights, Alaska is a unique, politically flexible state where party affiliation does not always matter. Peltola stands a good chance at re-election despite the fact that Donald Trump may well win the state a third time. Though on low turnout, these impressive numbers for Peltola should give her opponents pause that she could win in November with or without a divided opposition.
Other August 20 Primary Results
Florida US Senate
The Senate race in the Sunshine State is set, with Sen. Rick Scott (R) winning his primary with ease. He will face Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, a Democratic former member of Congress from South Florida.
Scott grabbed 84 percent of the vote in his primary, while Mucarsel-Powell took about 69 percent. This sets up a general election campaign in which most political analysts believe Scott is the favorite, and some would say a strong favorite. However, as we noted in an earlier Senate preview video, he has yet to win a general election by more than a few points.
Florida US House
There were no significant upsets in the House races in Florida in the August 20 primaries.
Matt Gaetz (R) was renominated in FL-01, beating Aaron Dimmock by a margin of 73 to 27 percent.
Vern Buchanan (R) of FL-16 had the closest run of any incumbent running in a contested primary. Even at that, he won with ease over Eddie Speir, 61 to 39 percent.
Miami-Dade Mayor
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava was re-elected outright in the Miami-Dade Mayoral election.
Though the election is officially non-partisan, Levine Cava, a Democrat, took just under 58 percent of the vote against a crowded field. Her main challenger was Manny Cid, a Republican, with 23 percent.
Had no candidate obtained an absolute majority of the vote, the top two candidates would have advanced to a runoff on November 5.
Wyoming
Elections on the state level in Wyoming were fairly quiet as the state held its primary.
Sen. John Barrasso (R) won his primary on Tuesday, claiming 68 percent of the vote against two opponents. The senator will face Scott Morrow in the general election; Morrow was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Wyoming has only elected one Democrat at the statewide level in the 21st Century so far.
In the race for the US House, Rep. Harriet Hageman cruised in her GOP primary. She defeated Steven Helling by a margin of 81 to 19 percent.
