Outside spending in Alaska's U.S. House race runs nearly 2 to 1 in Hill's favor

Outside groups have reported about $21 million in spending on Alaska's U.S. House race, counting the August primary, and the general-election money runs nearly 2 to 1 in favor of independent Bill Hill over Republican Rep. Nick Begich. Alaskans vote Nov. 3.

That's about a fifth of the more than $100 million outside groups have reported in Alaska's U.S. Senate race, where the money is split almost evenly.

In the House general election, groups have reported about $11.2 million to help Hill or attack Begich and about $5.7 million to help Begich or attack Hill. About seven of every 10 of those dollars were reported as opposing a candidate. Groups backing Hill have also reported about $500,000 against Eric Hafner, the only registered Democrat on the ballot.

The money comes from super PACs and other groups that aren't part of either campaign. They can't coordinate that spending with the candidates, and none of it goes to the campaigns.

This week's reports lean even more toward Hill. Since Tuesday, groups have reported about $2.3 million helping Hill or attacking Begich and about $390,000 helping Begich or attacking Hill.

The biggest spender is Wheel Dog PAC, Hill's main outside backer, with about $5.6 million in the general election after $2.7 million in the primary, including $1.5 million reported Thursday. Its reports list $2.5 million from Western Futures Fund and $1.5 million from Way Back PAC, both with Sheridan, Wyoming, addresses.

Next is HMP, also known as House Majority PAC, which focuses on electing House Democrats. It has reported about $3.2 million against Begich in weekly rounds since Sept. 15, starting with digital ads and adding TV the week of Oct. 13. Its latest reports list $625,252 in TV and digital ads dated Oct. 27 and another $156,005 in digital ads dated Oct. 28. Your Community PAC has reported $1.3 million against Begich.

On Begich's side, Club for Growth Action leads with about $2.6 million for Begich or against Hill. No Going Back PAC, whose filings list $200 million in contributions this year from MAGA Inc., has reported $1.2 million. Congressional Leadership Fund, which works to keep a Republican majority in the House, has reported about $900,000 against Hill. The Freedom Caucus Fund and America First Agriculture Action have reported about $490,000 and $378,000.

In the campaigns' own money, Begich has the edge. His campaign had $1.8 million in the bank on Oct. 14 to Hill's $118,000, according to their latest reports for Begich and Hill. But Hill raised more in the first two weeks of October, taking in $282,000 and spending $355,000. Begich's campaign took in $118,000, spent $722,000 and reported $226,000 in debts.

Since Oct. 15, Begich's campaign has reported about $133,000 in contributions of $1,000 or more on 48-hour notices, and Hill's about $125,000. Hill's include $5,000 from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee on Oct. 21. His reports through Oct. 14 showed no party contributions, though the DCCC added him to its Red to Blue program in September.

For the full election cycle, Begich's campaign has taken in $6.6 million and spent $5.1 million. Hill's has taken in $2.6 million and spent $2.5 million.

Begich won the seat in 2024. Hill, a commercial fisherman and former Bristol Bay school superintendent, is listed as nonpartisan on the ballot. Hafner, who is serving a federal prison sentence, and Libertarian Jim McDermott are also running. Democrat Matt Schultz suspended his campaign in July and endorsed Hill.

How Alaska News counted: The figures count only outside groups' independent spending, not the campaigns' own money. They add up the spending notices in the FEC's data file through Wednesday and groups' 24-hour reports filed through late Thursday, Oct. 29, leaving out reports that were later amended. Many figures are estimates that can be revised.