In an unusual political development that could impact control of the U.S. House of Representatives, Eric Hafner, an incarcerated felon serving a 20-year sentence in New York’s Otisville Federal Correctional Institution, has emerged as one of four candidates for Alaska’s sole House seat. This situation, made possible by Alaska’s top-four primary and ranked choice voting system, poses a potential threat to Democratic Representative Mary Peltola’s reelection bid.
Hafner, who has no known ties to Alaska, initially received just 0.4% of the vote in the state’s open primary, placing sixth. However, after two Republican candidates withdrew from the race, he advanced to fourth place, securing a spot on the general election ballot. The final ballot now features incumbent Democrat Mary Peltola, Republican Nick Begich, Alaska Independence Party candidate John Wayne Howe, and the imprisoned Hafner, who is running as a Democrat.
Recent polling conducted by Cygnal between October 14-16 shows Begich leading Peltola by 49% to 45%, with Howe at 4% and Hafner capturing 2% of voter support. Despite his incarceration, Hafner has maintained an active absentee campaign, providing online position statements and responding to media inquiries. He describes himself as a democratic socialist and progressive, advocating for policies such as Medicare for All, free college, and student loan debt relief.
The Alaska Democratic Party attempted to disqualify Hafner but was unsuccessful when the state Superior Court ruled that while congressional representatives must be residents, there are no such requirements for candidates. This situation has reignited debate about Alaska’s voting system, which voters adopted in 2020. Critics, including Phil Izon who leads the Yes on Ballot Measure 2 campaign to repeal ranked-choice voting, point to this case as evidence of the system’s flaws.
With control of the House potentially hanging in the balance, Hafner’s candidacy could prove decisive in determining the chamber’s majority party.
Read more: Spoiler alert: New York inmate threatens to cost Democrats the House
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