A federal inmate serving a prison sentence in New York has secured a place in the general election for Alaska’s only US House seat after advancing from the state’s primary election.
Eric Hafner, a registered Democrat, previously contested the same congressional seat in 2024. He made it onto the general election ballot that year despite a legal challenge from the Alaska Democratic Party.
Hafner pleaded guilty in 2022 to federal charges involving threats against police officers, judges and other individuals. He is currently serving his sentence in a New York federal prison and is expected to remain incarcerated until 2036.
His latest electoral success is likely to trigger another legal challenge because the US Constitution requires a member of Congress to be an inhabitant of the state they represent when elected.
Hafner’s candidate filing also raises questions about his connection to Alaska. The information he submitted listed a Box Elder, South Dakota, mailing address and a New York telephone number, the same details associated with his mother, Carol Hafner. Neither appears to have an obvious connection to Alaska.
Carol Hafner has also previously sought public office unsuccessfully and contested the Republican primary for a US Senate seat in Alaska this year.
Under Alaska’s ranked primary system, the four candidates receiving the most votes proceed to the general election, regardless of their political affiliation.
Hafner had received 5,757 votes after approximately 93 per cent of ballots were counted. That placed him well behind Democrat Matt Schultz, who was in third place.
However, Schultz had withdrawn from the general election and therefore could not advance, allowing Hafner to move forward.
The identity of the fourth candidate to qualify for the general election remained uncertain as vote counting continued.
The race’s leading contenders include incumbent Republican Nick Begich and independent candidate Bill Hill, a commercial fisherman and retired educator.
Hafner’s advancement is expected to face scrutiny over both his residency and eligibility, potentially setting up another legal battle before Alaska’s general election.
