Sarah Palin Leads In Votes For Alaska’s House Seat

Former Alaska governor and 2008 U.S. vice president candidate Sarah Palin is leading in votes in the state’s special primary for the House seat previously held by longtime Congressman Don Young (R), who passed away at 88 earlier this year.

Palin is currently leading Nick Begich III by a little over 10 points, with the candidates drawing in 29.8% and 19.3% respectively. Begich is the grandson of former Alaska Rep. Nick Begich (D), who was in office when he presumably passed away in a plane crash in 1972. His disappearance led to Young’s election.

In Alaska, all candidates of all parties run on the same primary ballot, where the top four vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to a special general election slated for August 16. Whoever wins that vote will take over Young’s term as Alaska’s only representative. His term ends in January.

Palin is the most well-known name on the ballot and she has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

She tweeted her appreciation to her supporters on Sunday following the release of the early results.

“I’m looking forward to the special general election so we can highlight our ideas for fixing this country by responsibly developing Alaska’s God-given natural resources, getting runaway government spending under control, protecting human life, protecting the right to keep and bear arms, and restoring respect for individual liberty and the Constitution,” a statement from Palin read.