Convicted Felon to Appear on Alaska Ballot

In Alaska's upcoming general election, Eric Hafner, a convicted felon currently serving a 20-year sentence, will appear on the ballot for the U.S. House seat despite never having lived in the state. Hafner's candidacy follows the withdrawals of two Republican candidates, Nancy Dahlstrom and Matt Salisbury, after they aligned their views with Nick Begich, the second-place finisher in the primary. Hafner received only 467 votes, or 0.43%, during the primary, suggesting his presence may reflect dissatisfaction with current Democratic leadership rather than significant support. The election will also feature incumbent Mary Peltola and Begich, along with John Wayne Howe of the Alaska Independence Party. Alaska's open primary system allows the top four vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the general election, thereby including Hafner who has a history of running for office in multiple states. Critics argue that this system, fueled by external financial influence, is undermining the integrity of the electoral process.