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Republican challenger Nick Begich was leading incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola in the race for Alaska’s sole seat in the U.S. House of Representatives by a margin of 50.1% to 44.8% in unofficial results. About 59% of the vote had been counted at 3:30 a.m. ET Wednesday.

The Alaska race attracted over $40 million in contributions, making it one of the most expensive congressional races in the country’s history. 

In 2022, Peltola had defeated both Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin to win a special election for the seat after the death of Rep. Don Young, who held it for 49 years. 

Peltola reportedly raised about five times as much money as Begich. 

“This one is seen as a gettable win for the Republicans, and that’s not common this cycle,” Sarah Bryner, research director for Open Secrets, a nonprofit that tracks campaign spending, told Alaska Public Media shortly before the election. 

Begich, a businessman and investor, said his campaign was based on three pillars: economic growth, responsible development of natural resources, and protecting Alaskans’ way of life. 

The native Alaskan, a supporter of Young’s, was co-chairman of the Alaska Republican Party’s finance committee. He was part of the Alaska Policy Forum from 2018 to 2021. 

“We must tell Alaska’s story in Congress, highlighting our state’s unique contributions and needs,” Begich said in a position statement. “Together, we can achieve the promise of ‘North to the Future,’ securing a stronger, more prosperous path for Alaska.” 

Begich received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and an MBA from Indiana University. 

“I oppose the national policies that have fueled inflation and allowed mass illegal migration,” Begich said in the position statement. “We need strong leadership to restore our economy and secure our borders for the well-being of every American. We must put America first.”