Donald Trump-endorsed Sarah Palin, her Republican rival Nick Begich III, and Democrat Mary Peltola will go head-to-head in Alaska’s special general election on Aug. 16 to serve out the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. Don Young’s term.
In a 48-way special primary on June 11 following the Republican Young’s death in March—Palin, Begich, Peltola, and Al Gross, an independent, were the top four finishers in the election. While the result sounds confusing, it reflects the state’s non-partisan primary system in which all candidates appear on the ballot regardless of party affiliation.
That allowed them to move on to the special election, with the winner to serve out the remaining three months of Young’s term. Meanwhile, all three of the party contenders are also on the regular primary ballot on Aug. 16 for the same seat for the next two years….