By SUZANNE DOWNING
Bill Hill, a registered no-party candidate who has long been associated with Democratic causes and candidates, has entered the race for Alaska’s lone seat in the US House of Representatives, now held by Nick Begich.
Hill’s candidacy adds a new dynamic to the 2026 contest and raises questions about whether he could draw nonaligned voters away from Begich, potentially benefiting the existing Democratic nominee, following the Democratic Party’s 2024 loss.
Begich defeated Democrat Mary Peltola in 2024. Anchorage Democrat Matt Schultz filed for the seat in October.
Hill is a commercial fisherman and retired public educator who says he is Dena’ina Athabascan. He grew up in Kokhanok before moving to the Bristol Bay village of Naknek. His career included teaching public school in Juneau and later serving as superintendent of the Bristol Bay Borough School District. In 2023, Hill retired after being named Alaska’s superintendent of the year.
In his campaign announcement, Hill framed his candidacy around economic independence and opposition to what he described as entrenched political interests.
“I’m getting in this race because Alaskans deserve someone in Congress who gets it: We don’t want handouts. We want to be able to work hard, take care of our families, and live the Alaska way,” Hill said. “And we don’t think billionaires, corporations, and politicians should get to rig the system to profit off our hard work.”
Despite his no-party registration, Hill’s past political activity aligns almost exclusively with Democrats. His dormant Twitter account followed Bernie Sanders, Joe Biden, and Kamala Harris. Campaign finance records show donations to Harris and Sanders, and Hill publicly supported Democrat Les Gara in the 2022 governor’s race. There are no records of Hill supporting Republican candidates.
With Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system still in place for the 2026 election, the addition of a no-party candidate with a Democratic voting history may be a Democratic Party play to confuse voters.
7 thoughts on “No-party candidate enters Alaska US House race”
“…Hill framed his candidacy around economic independence and opposition to what he described as entrenched political interests.”
Hmmm, it would seem the bills sponsored by NB3 have done more to promote Alaska’s economy and pull us up out of the trench that FJB buried us in than any legislation passed this century. He’s certainly done more for Alaska than Ms. Mary. I’m skeptical that a left-leaning unknown is worth any level of risk in this seat. I’ll Stick with Nick.
A rose by any other name (or lack of one) is still a rose…. or stinkweed maybe.
Another fake Independent. Voters are all too wise about the Democrats using “Independent” status to lure voters. Some bold Democrats even call themselves “Republican.”
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An old game. An old trick. This Democrat candidate for US House will be properly outed, just like a tranny gets outed when he attempts to use the girl’s locker room. Sorry old man……your little gig is up before it starts.
But maybe he truly doesn’t have a penis.
It appears that the liberals have to dress in conservative clothing to get elected.. Abigail Spanberger wrote the book.
Hmmmm. Another leftist liar trying to hide behind what he isn’t. If he indeed supported Bernie Sanders, Biden and Kamala then a conservative for smaller government and personal responsibility he is not.
Never heard of this guy. Looks like a carpetbagger that a trawler drug up.