Outside PACs pour $2.5M into Alaska federal races ahead of August primary

Two outside groups have spent more than $2.5 million combined targeting Alaska's federal races, with the August 18 primary four weeks out. The Last Frontier PAC accounts for more than $2.1 million of that total, all directed against the Senate race, while the Wheel Dog PAC's spending exceeds $320,000 in the House race.

The Last Frontier PAC filed a 48-hour notice Tuesday showing $206,123.78 spent July 14 opposing Mary Peltola's U.S. Senate bid, paid to Red Right Media in Arlington, Virginia, for media placement. The group's calendar-year total against Peltola now stands at $2,151,831.96.

In the House race, the Wheel Dog PAC has spent more than $320,000 supporting independent candidate Bill Hill. Hill raised $387,000 in candidate funds through the second quarter. Incumbent Nick Begich raised $954,000 in the same period.

The August 18 contest is a nonpartisan top-four primary. All candidates appear on the same ballot regardless of party, and the four highest vote-getters advance to the November general election under ranked-choice voting.

Voters will also decide Ballot Measure No. 1 on August 18, which would restore contribution limits for state and local races. It does not cover federal independent expenditures.