TCC and Interior Native Vote host candidate mixers in Fairbanks before August primary

The Tanana Chiefs Conference and Interior Native Vote are giving Interior tribal members two chances to size up the candidates in person before they cast a ballot.

The first mixer, on July 20 at the Chief David Salmon Tribal Hall in Fairbanks, brings in candidates for the state House and Senate. The second, on August 5 at the same hall, is for the people running for governor. Both run 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., are free, and come with food. "The decisions made at the ballot box will have lasting impacts on our lands, subsistence, and future generations," said Chelsea Thurman of TCC.

There is a lot on this ballot. Mike Dunleavy is termed out, and 17 candidates are running to replace him. Roughly 50 of the Legislature's 60 seats are up. Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native elected to Congress, is challenging Sen. Dan Sullivan in a race national handicappers now rate as competitive. Voters will also decide Ballot Measure 1, on limits to campaign contributions.

Under Alaska's open primary, everyone appears on one ballot and the top four advance to a ranked-choice general election in November. Turnout in August is typically thin — about 109,000 Alaskans voted in the 2024 primary, against roughly 341,000 that November — which means a bloc of voters who actually show up carries real weight.