A group backing Begich for governor has spent nothing, with a website waiting for the general election

A new independent group formed to support Tom Begich's run for governor has so far done almost nothing. It has spent no money at all, and its only financial trace is a debt of about $1,116 for a one-page website that had not yet gone live, set to activate after the Aug. 18 primary.

The group, Alaskans for Tom Begich, is an independent-expenditure group, meaning it can spend to support Begich's candidacy but cannot coordinate that spending with his campaign. It registered just over a week before the primary and, in its first report to the state, listed no contributions and no spending, only the website debt.

Whether the group becomes active is now a live question. Begich finished second in the primary, with 26,377 votes, and advanced to the Nov. 3 general election on a ticket with running mate Julia Hnilicka. The website debt is listed as supporting that ticket.