Peltola garners 50% of votes in bid for second congressional term

(The Center Square) - U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola garnered over 50% of first-place votes in her bid for a second term as Alaska's sole congressional seat, according to unofficial election results.

Nick Begich took the second spot with nearly 27% of the vote, followed by fellows Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Matthew H. Salisbury.

Alaska uses ranked choice voting to decide its elections. In the primary, four of the 12 candidates will move ahead to the general election.

Begich and Dahlstrom have been locked in a battle for Republican votes. Former President Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Dunleavy back Dahlstrom. Begich is supported by the House Freedom Caucus, former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and several members of the Alaska Legislature.

"The voters sent a clear message: I am the best Republican candidate to beat Mary Peltola in November," Begich said in a statement . "To get that done, we must unite as conservatives."

Begich is a critic of ranked-choice voting. He previously said he would drop out of the race if he was not the top choice and endorse the leading Republican candidate.

Dahlstrom did not indicate she was leaving the race.

"Tonight's results show my message of standing up for Alaska's energy interest, securing the border, and fighting back against the anti-Alaska policies of the Biden-Harris administration is resonating with voters across the state," Dahlstrom said . "I was endorsed by President Donald Trump, Governor Dunleavy, and Republican leaders in Alaska and Washington, because I'm the only candidate in this race who can beat Mary Peltola. And that's exactly what we are going to do in November."

Peltola did not make a statement on social media but repeated her campaign mantra, "Fish, family, freedom for the future."