Simons Donated to Bill Hill Congressional Campaign
Elizabeth and Nat Simons contributed the maximum legal limit to the independent House candidate in 2026.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Philanthropy
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In 2026, Elizabeth and Nat Simons each donated $7,000 to the campaign of independent U.S. House candidate Bill Hill. These contributions met the maximum legal limit allowed for direct candidate support.
Why it matters
The donations highlight the financial support Bill Hill has received from donors outside of Alaska, with approximately 75% of his itemized contributions originating from beyond state lines. Hill is currently challenging incumbent Republican Representative Nick Begich III for the Alaska seat.
Elizabeth and Nat Simons each reached the $7,000 maximum legal donation threshold for individual candidate support. Additionally, Elizabeth Simons previously contributed $250,000 to the New Yorkers for Lower Costs Super PAC in August 2025.
The players
Bill Hill
He is an independent candidate seeking election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Alaska.
Nick Begich III
He is the incumbent Republican representative currently holding the Alaska seat.
Elizabeth Simons
She is a political donor who has provided financial backing to both specific campaigns and Super PACs.
Nat Simons
He is a political donor who contributed to the Bill Hill campaign in 2026.
DCCC
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee supports candidates through programs like its Red to Blue initiative.
The details
Bill Hill is running for the U.S. House of Representatives as an independent candidate, a bid recognized by the DCCC through its Red to Blue program. While his campaign benefits from individual contributions, federal law prohibits Super PACs like the one funded by Elizabeth Simons from making direct donations to candidate committees.
Timeline
August 2025: Elizabeth Simons donated $250,000 to a New York-based Super PAC.
March 2026: Bill Hill published an op-ed criticizing Rep. Nick Begich III.
2026: Elizabeth and Nat Simons made their maximum contributions to the Bill Hill campaign.
Market Landscape
The donations underscore the strategic divide in political financing between direct candidate committees and independent expenditure groups governed by federal regulations. These financial patterns reflect the increasing influence of out-of-state capital in local congressional races across the country.
Alaska voters may note that the majority of campaign funding for this independent bid originates outside the state. Residents should consider these financial sources when evaluating candidates during the upcoming election cycle.
The takeaway
Campaign finance regulations strictly distinguish between direct candidate contributions and independent Super PAC spending. Understanding the origin of campaign funds is essential for voters to assess the broader support networks behind congressional candidates.
Further reading
Learn more about the influence of Philanthropy in state political campaigns.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Must Read Alaska.
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