Pro-Dahlstrom PAC announces $5 million ad buy in Alaska’s U.S. House race

The leading Republican group dedicated to U.S. House races is planning a major ad campaign in Alaska to try to unseat the state’s Democratic congresswoman, Mary Peltola.

The Congressional Leadership Fund announced last month that it had reserved more than $5 million in air time for ads this fall in Alaska’s three largest cities. The super PAC is affiliated with House Speaker Mike Johnson and has supported Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom.

Dahlstrom says she expects PACs of all kinds to be active in the race, both for and against her.

“I think there will be a lot of money spent, across all industries and service areas, and among people who sell products and services used by campaigns,” Dahlstrom said.

Super PACs can raise unlimited funds but are not allowed to coordinate with the candidate’s campaign.

The large ad buy suggests that nationally, Republicans view the Alaska House race as a good opportunity to flip seats and maintain or strengthen their majority.

Dahlstrom and Nick Begich III are the leading Republicans challenging Peltola. While groups affiliated with President Johnson have supported Dahlstrom, a PAC linked to the far-right House Freedom Caucus is supporting Begich.

Nine other candidates also registered before Saturday’s filing deadline. Several have already entered statewide races, including Alaska Independence Party Chairman John Wayne Howe of Fairbanks and Lady Donna Dutchess of Anchorage. She finished 11th in the 2022 U.S. primary.