By SUZANNE DOWNING
Oct. 16, 2026 – Bill Hill is campaigning against billionaire influence in Washington. But a political group promoting his congressional bid reported a $250,000 contribution from billionaire Reid Hoffman, whose actual past association with Jeffrey Epstein is publicly documented.
The contrast is particularly pointed because that same group, Wheel Dog PAC, labels Republican Congressman Nick Begich an “Epstein-class elite” on its website.
According to the FEC contribution entry, Hoffman gave Wheel Dog PAC $250,000 on Sept. 2, 2026. The entry identifies his employer as Greylock Partners and his occupation as partner, and categorizes the donation as a contribution to the PAC’s non-contribution account.
Hill, the Democrat-backed candidate challenging Begich for Alaska’s House seat, has made criticism of billionaires a central campaign theme. His platform includes a section titled “End billionaires buying our elections” and argues that wealthy donors gain influence over the candidates they help elect.
Wheel Dog PAC echoes that message, while drawing an explicitly Epstein-themed distinction between the candidates.
“The difference between Bill Hill and Nick Begich is that Bill Hill is working class and Nick Begich is Epstein-class,” its frequently asked questions page states. This is a way of trying to paint Begich with the stain of Jeffrey Epstein, the now-deceased financier whose documented campaign contributions and close personal associations involved primarily Democrats.
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The PAC’s homepage also accuses Begich of putting wealthy allies ahead of working Alaskans. Its presentation uses Epstein’s name as a political label for wealth and influence.
Hoffman, however, has formally acknowledged an actual association with Epstein.
The LinkedIn co-founder visited Epstein’s private island, describing the trip as connected to fundraising for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has expressed regret over the relationship and acknowledged that participating in fundraising involving Epstein helped rehabilitate Epstein’s reputation.
Wheel Dog’s messaging raises a separate issue concerning Begich’s voting record. Its website accuses him of opposing release of the Epstein files, but Begich voted for the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Nov. 18, 2025. The House passed that legislation 427–1. The PAC lies about Congressman Begich’s actual record.
