At deadline, Palin, Begich ignored each's plea to exit Alaska House race, avoid split vote with Dem
Both candidates criticized each other on Monday and said they plan on staying in the race.
By Madeleine Hubbard
Updated: September 6, 2022 - 8:03am
Sarah Palin and Nick Begich, Republican candidates for Alaska's only U.S. House seat, each declined by Monday's deadline to exit the general election – creating a situation in which they could split the GOP vote and more easily allow the Democrat candidate to win.
They will face Democrat Mary Peltola, who last week won the state's special election to temporarily fill the seat of late-Rep. Don Young.
Palin, a former Alaska governor and GOP vice presidential nominee, has since Peltola's victory was announced over her and Begich, who finished in third, for him to exit the general election contest.
"He represents the good ol’ boys network, the establishment and yes, the liberals," said Palin, who continues to point out Begich has lost three elections.
"Only a Democrat sympathizer would selfishly stay in this race after getting thumped three times," she also said, according to Alaska Public.
Under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, Pelota won with 51.48% of the vote despite initially coming in with 40.19%.
She will occupy the seat until at least January and continue to hold the seat if she wins the general election.
Begich said Monday: "Palin simply doesn’t have enough support from Alaskans to win an election, and her performance in the special [election} was embarrassing as a former governor and vice presidential candidate."
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https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/alaska-gop-candidates-palin-begich-stay-house-race-after-losing-special
