By Basant El-Faramawy
Independent candidate Bill Hill, an Alaska Native and commercial fisherman, is mounting a competitive challenge to Republican incumbent Nick Begich for Alaska's lone U.S. House seat in the November 3 midterm election. Hill, a first-time candidate with a background in education and union construction, has centered his campaign on affordability and the economic struggles of working-class Alaskans, positioning himself as a contrast to the wealthy incumbent.
Affordability Concerns Drive Campaign
Hill says surging fuel prices have squeezed households across the state. He cited the cost of gasoline in his hometown of Naknek rising from $6.70 to nearly $9 per gallon, and heating fuel nearly doubling from $4.50 to $8.30 per gallon. In remote Indigenous villages such as Ambler and Shungnak, gas prices have surpassed $25 a gallon. A United Way report published this month found more than one in three Alaskan households cannot cover basic expenses.
Wealth Gap Highlighted
Hill has emphasized the financial disparity between himself and Begich. Hill's reported assets total $119,000, while Begich's net worth is at least $7.4 million. Hill describes his opponent as a "multimillionaire working for billionaires" and argues that Begich does not represent everyday Alaskans. Begich's office has previously denied that his personal wealth influences his legislative decisions.
Union Support and Policy Differences
More than 20 labor organizations, including the Alaska AFL-CIO, have endorsed Hill, who is a longtime union member and former school superintendent. Alaska has the third-highest union density in the nation at 18.1% as of 2025. Begich, by contrast, has signed the National Right to Work Act and holds a 0% lifetime voting score from the AFL-CIO. Hill supports both the oil industry and renewable energy, as well as gun rights, aligning with Alaska's hunting tradition. Begich has praised President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" and continues to back the administration's policies on Iran.
Ranked-Choice Dynamics
The race takes place under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system with four candidates on the general election ballot. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report recently shifted the rating from "likely Republican" to "leans Republican," with the district favoring Republicans by 6%. Recent polls show Hill trailing Begich by single digits, but his support grows as voters learn more about his background. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee added the race to its "red to blue" program in September. Democrat Eric Hafner, who is incarcerated in New York and has no apparent ties to Alaska, also appears on the ballot, potentially complicating Hill's path.
