Nathaniel Herz

Dahlstrom, a former Republican state representative from Eagle River, seeks to replace Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer, who announced last year that he would not seek reelection.

Lawmakers’ failure to act means that unlimited sums can continue flowing to gubernatorial, legislative and municipal candidates. But one legislator is already discussing a citizens initiative to change that.

Newly filed financial disclosures reveal huge wealth disparities that are shaping the special election between 48 candidates for the state’s sole U.S. House seat.

The House is now scheduled to vote Saturday on whether to concur with the Senate’s version of the bill, which includes $5,500 in cash payments to Alaskans and could drain state savings.

The Senate-passed version of the budget includes a $4,200 Permanent Fund dividend plus proposed $1,300 energy assistance checks — at a total cost of more than $3.5 billion. House members said they’re being barraged with messages from constituents for and against accepting that version of the budget.

Pat Chesbro’s entry in the race, combined with Alaska’s new system of ranked-choice voting, could change the dynamics between leading Republicans Lisa Murkowski, the incumbent, and Trump-endorsed Kelly Tshibaka.

Pat Chesbro is a longtime party member and educator. She’ll join a race that features incumbent Lisa Murkowski and Trump-endorsed Republican challenger Kelly Tshibaka.

Thousands of ballots have already been returned in the 48-person special primary election. But just a few weeks after the filing deadline, only a few candidates have raised enough money to mount conventional campaigns, and public events have been few and far between.

For now, Alaska’s senior senator appears to face few political consequences from news that Trump-appointed justices she supported are poised to strike down Roe v. Wade.

The groups are asking the full 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to review a March ruling that authorized a land exchange enabling the road through Alaska’s Izembek National Wildlife Refuge to advance.

Political parties and other interest groups are rolling out education campaigns about the state’s new election system — with open primaries and ranked-choice general elections — in advance of this year’s races.

A 45-minute forum revealed few substantive policy differences between the candidates. But the event grew personal quickly, with opponents taking aim at Begich, who described himself as the front-runner.

Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary, made no commitments to building a road long sought by residents that would cut through a national wildlife refuge on the Alaska Peninsula. But she listened intently on a whirlwind day of flights, tours and meetings.

Deb Haaland, the first-ever Native American interior secretary, is bringing two other top land management officials and plans to visit the North Slope, the village of King Cove, the Kenai Peninsula and Fairbanks.

Three lobbyist-strategists and an attorney have helped raise $1.3 million for a super PAC supporting Republican Lisa Murkowski, adding to the incumbent senator’s cash advantage over her Trump-endorsed GOP challenger, Kelly Tshibaka.