JUNEAU (AP) — An Anchorage Assembly member on Feb. 17 announced plans to run as a Democrat for the U.S. House seat for Alaska that has been held by Republican Don Young since 1973.
Christopher Constant made the announcement on social media.
Under a voter-approved elections system that will be used for the first time in Alaska this year, the top four vote-getters in the August primary, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the November general election, where ranked-choice voting will be used to count ballots until a candidate achieves support from a majority of voters.
Conservative Republican Nick Begich III has been the highest-profile contender to announce plans to challenge Young so far. The deadline to file is June 1.
Constant, in an interview with The Associated Press, said in discussions about politics in the U.S. and Alaska, “people seem to have lost focus on what’s important, our communities, our neighbors and the future.” He said he wants the debate during the campaign to be focused on Alaska’s future.
Constant said he is similar to Young “in the fact that I speak plainly and tell people what I think. But the fact is, the difference is, I am going to run not bound by the baggage of, ‘Am I Mr. Trump’s person or am I not Mr. Trump’s person?’”
Former President Donald Trump has been a major figure in national Republican politics. He has endorsed Republican Kelly Tshibaka in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race against incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski. Trump also said Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who is seeking reelection, has his endorsement so long as Dunleavy does not endorse Murkowski.
Lindsay Kavanaugh, executive director of the Alaska Democratic Party, in a statement said, “Alaska desperately needs (Constant’s) fresh energy and community-minded perspective in D.C. to build a sustainable future for Alaska.”
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