The Alaska Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Democratic House candidate Eric Hafner, currently serving a prison sentence, can remain on the November ballot for Alaska’s only U.S. House seat.

The Alaska Democratic Party had filed a lawsuit in hopes of removing Hafner, citing concerns about his candidacy impacting incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola's reelection campaign, but the court's decision has left Democrats frustrated as Hafner continues to pose a potential challenge in a closely contested race, as the Washington Examiner reports.

The court's ruling allows Hafner, a long-shot candidate, to remain on the ballot, despite serving a 20-year prison sentence in New York for making bomb threats against officials in New Jersey.

Hafner’s presence in the race complicates matters for Peltola, as her primary challenger, Republican Nick Begich, is running a strong campaign, with polls showing the race between Peltola and Begich neck and neck.

Concerns About Hafner’s Candidacy

The Alaska Democratic Party has expressed strong disapproval of the court’s decision, releasing a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling the ruling “extremely disappointing.” They fear that Hafner, who finished sixth in the August primary, could still siphon off crucial votes from Peltola in what is expected to be a tight race. In their statement, the party emphasized that Hafner does not live in Alaska, has never lived in Alaska, and is incarcerated in another state.

The Democratic Party has fully backed Peltola's reelection efforts and views Hafner’s candidacy as a potential disruption in their bid to secure a victory in November. They criticized the court’s ruling as setting a “dangerous precedent” by allowing someone serving a lengthy prison sentence, with no connection to Alaska, to appear on the ballot.

Background on Hafner and the Court Case

Hafner is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in New York for making bomb threats against elected officials in New Jersey. With 15 years left to serve, his candidacy has raised eyebrows not just because of his incarceration but also due to his lack of ties to Alaska. In addition to his current campaign, Hafner previously ran for congressional office in Hawaii in 2016 and in Oregon in 2018.

The Alaska Democratic Party's lawsuit, filed earlier this month, aimed to remove Hafner from the ballot by arguing that his candidacy was not legitimate. However, the court's decision upheld his right to run for office, effectively ending the legal challenge. The decision sparked a wave of criticism from Alaska Democrats, who worry the ruling will embarrass the state and harm Peltola's chances in the election.

Peltola Faces Strong Opposition from GOP

Peltola, who won Alaska’s sole House seat in a special election in 2022, faces a tough race this year. Her main challenger, Republican Nick Begich, is backed by the state’s GOP and is seen as a formidable contender. Polls released by the National Republican Congressional Committee show Peltola and Begich in a close race, with the outcome still too close to call.

Hafner’s presence on the ballot is particularly concerning for Democrats, as even a small number of votes drawn away from Peltola could tip the scales in Begich’s favor. Despite finishing far behind in the primary, Hafner's name on the ballot could be enough to split the vote in the general election.

Hafner’s Claims About His Future

Despite his incarceration, Hafner remains optimistic about his future. In an interview with an Alaskan radio station, KBRD, he expressed confidence that he would be released if he wins the election. He cited compassionate release statutes, saying, “Ultimately, if I’m elected, I expect to be released immediately at that point.”

However, there has been no confirmation from legal experts that such a release would be possible. Hafner’s claim has drawn skepticism, but his candidacy remains a wildcard in an already unpredictable race.

Democratic Party’s Efforts to Remove Hafner

The Alaska Democratic Party made significant efforts to disqualify Hafner from the race. They initially sued Alaska’s election officials earlier this month, pushing for his removal from the ballot. Their argument centered on Hafner's status as an incarcerated individual, his lack of residency in Alaska, and the potential harm his candidacy could cause to the Peltola campaign. However, the court’s rejection of their lawsuit has left the party scrambling to refocus on their support for Peltola.

Democrats are worried that Hafner’s candidacy could serve as a distraction in an already contentious race. The party has voiced concerns that allowing a candidate in Hafner's position to run could erode confidence in the electoral process and complicate efforts to rally voters around Peltola.

Race Expected to Remain Tight

With the court ruling now behind them, Democrats are gearing up for a challenging final stretch before Election Day. Hafner’s continued presence in the race may not result in a significant number of votes, but even a marginal impact could be enough to affect the final outcome.

Republican Nick Begich, who has the backing of the state GOP, is expected to maintain his strong showing, and with recent polling indicating a dead heat between him and Peltola, every vote will count.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Alaska Supreme Court's decision to allow incarcerated Democrat Eric Hafner to remain on the November ballot has introduced an unexpected twist into the race for Alaska's sole House seat.

While Hafner is unlikely to win, his candidacy could siphon crucial votes from Rep. Mary Peltola in a tight race against Republican Nick Begich.

The Alaska Democratic Party has expressed frustration with the court’s ruling, which they see as setting a dangerous precedent for future elections. With Election Day approaching, both parties will be closely watching to see how Hafner's presence on the ballot impacts the final outcome.