Dahlstrom drops out of congressional race

(The Center Square) - Alaska Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom said Friday she was withdrawing from the race for the state's sole congressional seat.

Dahlstrom, a Republican, finished third in Tuesday's primary with 19.96% of the 96,491 votes cast, according to the unofficial election results from the Alaska Division of Elections.

Incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola finished first with 50.36% of the votes. Republican Nick Begich finished second with 26.95%, according to the results.

"We know that Mary Peltola certainly isn't up to the challenge. She has shown this," Dahlstrom said in a statement on social media. "At this time, the best thing I can do to see that goal realized is to withdraw my name from the general election ballot and end my campaign."

Dahlstrom was backed by former President Donald Trump and Gov. Mike Dunleavy.

"I want to congratulate Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom on running a strong campaign and thank her for her continued service to Alaska," Begich said in a statement posted on social media. "Today we move forward unified in the effort to replace Mary Peltola, who has proven by her alignment with the left that she is not the moderate she claimed to be. I look forward to continuing to travel Alaska to earn your support and take Alaska’s incredible story to our nation’s capital. North, to the Future."

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Four candidates will be on the general election ballot in November. The fourth-place finisher is Republican Matthew Salisbury, with 0.62%, or 602 votes. John Wayne Howe, a member of the Alaska Independence Party, finished fifth with 0.57% or 547 votes.

Alaska used ranked-choice to decide its elections. Twelve candidates were in the primary, and the top four will move on to the November election.