Incarcerated Candidate Remains on Alaska House Ballot
Democratic nominee Eric Hafner remains in the race despite serving a 20-year federal prison sentence.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Elections
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Eric Hafner, a 35-year-old serving a prison sentence in Otisville, New York, continues to appear on the ballot as the Democratic nominee for Alaska's U.S. House seat. Democratic-aligned groups have launched an advertising campaign to encourage voters to support independent candidate Bill Hill instead.
Why it matters
Democrats worry that Hafner's candidacy could jeopardize their chance to unseat Republican incumbent Nicholas Begich by drawing votes away from viable candidates. Under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, Hafner's vote share could play a critical role in the final tally if he is eliminated from the race.
Eric Hafner, currently serving a 20-year sentence for making false bomb threats, received 3.8 percent of the primary vote. He is campaigning from prison while located 3,000 miles away from the Alaska House seat he seeks.
The players
Eric Hafner
He is a 35-year-old Democratic nominee for the Alaska House seat currently serving a 20-year prison sentence.
Nicholas Begich
He is the Republican incumbent currently holding the U.S. House seat representing Alaska.
Bill Hill
He is an independent candidate seeking to secure the Alaska House seat.
Wheel Dog
It is a Super PAC that launched an advertising campaign urging voters to move away from Hafner.
The details
Hafner is running against Republican incumbent Nicholas Begich, independent Bill Hill, and Libertarian candidate Jim McDermott. The Super PAC Wheel Dog is actively campaigning against Hafner to mitigate his potential impact on the election results.
Timeline
Hafner threatened a police officer and his family in 2016.
This report was published on October 10, 2026.
Political Context
Alaska's ranked-choice voting system dictates that votes for eliminated candidates are redistributed to a voter's next preference. This structure creates a strategic environment where minor candidates like Hafner can significantly influence the margin between major contenders.
Voters must navigate the ranked-choice system, where ranking a candidate like Hafner could result in a vote transfer if he fails to secure a plurality. Residents should be aware that their preference rankings will determine the final winner if no candidate reaches 50 percent of the vote.
The takeaway
The presence of an incarcerated candidate illustrates the complex dynamics of modern electoral participation. Voters in Alaska are encouraged to research all candidates' platforms thoroughly to make informed choices within the ranked-choice format.
Further reading
For more on how the state's ballot operates, view the Alaska Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Western Journal.
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