Inmate advances in Alaska House primary despite residency questions
Federal inmate Eric Hafner secured a spot on Alaska's U.S. House general election ballot after the primary, prompting likely legal challenges over his residency.
Eric Hafner, a registered Democrat currently incarcerated at a federal prison in New York, advanced from Alaska's primary for its lone U.S. House seat after receiving 5,757 votes, enough to qualify for the November general election. Hafner, who previously ran in 2024 and survived a challenge by the Alaska Democratic Party, pleaded guilty in 2022 to making threats against police, judges and others and will not be released until 2036.
His candidate filing lists a Box Elder, South Dakota mailing address and a New York phone number belonging to his mother, Carol Hafner, who also ran unsuccessfully for the state’s Senate primary, raising questions about the constitutional residency requirement. The leading contenders in the race are incumbent Republican Nick Begich and independent Bill Hill, a commercial fisherman and retired educator. Matt Schultz, who placed third, withdrew from the general election, leaving the fourth-place position still open and likely to face further legal scrutiny.
Why it matters
The case tests constitutional residency rules and could affect ballot eligibility in Alaska's key congressional race.
How this story developed
- Aug 14 Alaska Senate Contest Centers on Fish Policy, Corporate Influence and Indigenous Rights
- Aug 18 A court challenge to Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.’s ballot filing was resolved, allowing his name to appear on the primary ballot.
- Aug 18 Peltola dismissed campaign manager Elisa Rios and a deputy campaign manager days before the primary.
- Aug 18 A new poll shows Ryan Elijah leading Cory Mills in the GOP primary.
- Aug 19 Trump publicly asked Cory Mills to drop out of the race and gave his full endorsement to Ryan Elijah.
- Aug 19 Former Obama adviser David Axelrod argued that Senator Jon Ossoff’s mention of Natalie Harp in a recent speech was unnecessary and took focus away from his broader attack on Donald Trump.
- Aug 20 Elijah captured 47% of the primary vote, while Mills received 34%.
- Aug 22 Peltola pulled ahead in the Alaska Senate primary, holding roughly 48% of the vote as results came in.
- Aug 22 David Axelrod publicly rebuked Ossoff’s reference to Natalie Harw as unnecessary.
- Aug 23 Alaska Supreme Court reinstated retired‑teacher Dan Sullivan’s candidacy, allowing him to appear on the November ballot.
- Aug 24 A former Anchorage mayor has publicly endorsed incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan over a primary challenger who shares the same name, adding another twist to Alaska’s Senate contest.
- Aug 24 Mike Collins’ poll numbers rose after the controversy.
- Aug 26 Alaska’s Supreme Court reinstated Dan J. Sullivan, allowing him to remain on the ballot and advance from the primary.
- Aug 26 President Donald Trump endorsed incumbent Dan S. Sullivan and called the challenger’s bid a trick.
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