OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former Alaska governor and 2008 vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is doing well following the state’s Republican primary election on Saturday.
Palin has jumped out to an early lead in her bid for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat, according to early returns.
The Associated Press reported Sunday morning:
The early results showed Palin, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, with 29.8% of the votes counted so far; Republican Nick Begich had 19.3%; independent Al Gross had 12.5%; Democrat Mary Peltola with 7.5%; and Republican Tara Sweeney had 5.3%.
A candidate whose name is Santa Claus, a self-described “independent, progressive, democratic socialist,” had 4.5%.
In all, there were 48 candidates vying for Alaska’s lone House seat.
“The initial results released by the state Division of Elections included 108,729 votes. It was not immediately clear how many ballots were outstanding. The division reported late Saturday that it had received about 139,000 ballots so far. Ballots had to be postmarked by Saturday,” The AP noted further.
The four candidates receiving the most votes, regardless of their party affiliation, will then advance to an August special election in which ranked-choice voting is used. The winner of that election will then serve out the remainder of the late Rep. Don Young’s (R) term, which ends in January. He died in March at the age of 88.
The election was not like any the state has seen before. It was jammed with dozens of candidates and conducted mostly by mail-in ballot. It is also the first election under a system voters approved in 2020 that does away with party primaries and instead uses ranked-choice voting during general elections.
“Saturday marked the first ballot count; state elections officials plan additional counts on Wednesday and Friday, and a final count on June 21. They have targeted June 25 to certify the race,” The AP added.
A pleased Palin released a statement expressing gratitude Sunday morning, thanking “all of my wonderful supporters who voted to make Alaska great again!”
Thank you Alaska! ❤️🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/wlMSaOneqS
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) June 12, 2022
In April, Trump threw his support behind Palin, a long-time ally of his.
“Wonderful patriot Sarah Palin of Alaska just announced that she is running for Congress, and that means there will be a true America First fighter on the ballot to replace the late and legendary Congressman Don Young,” Trump noted in a statement put out by his Save America PAC.
“Sarah shocked many when she endorsed me very early in 2016, and we won big,” Trump continued. “Now, it’s my turn!
“Sarah has been a champion for Alaska values, Alaska energy, Alaska jobs, and the great people of Alaska. She was one of the most popular governors because she stood up to corruption in both State Government and the Fake News Media,” Trump added. “Sarah lifted the [late Sen. John] McCain presidential campaign out of the dumps despite the fact that she had to endure some very evil, stupid, and jealous people within the campaign itself.
“They were out to destroy her, but she didn’t let that happen,” the former president continued. “Sarah Palin is tough and smart and will never back down, and I am proud to give her my Complete and Total Endorsement, and encourage all Republicans to unite behind this wonderful person and her campaign to put America First.”
Palin was ripped on the campaign trail by some of her GOP opponents who noted that she resigned partway through her gubernatorial term in 2009 after she and her presidential running mate, the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona, lost to then-Democratic Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
In announcing her campaign following Young’s death, Palin said:
Today I’m announcing my candidacy for the U.S. House seat representing Alaska. Public service is a calling, and I would be honored to represent the men and women of Alaska in Congress, just as Rep. Young did for 49 years. I realize that I have very big shoes to fill, and I plan to honor Rep. Young’s legacy by offering myself up in the name of service to the state he loved and fought for because I share that passion for Alaska and the United States of America.
