Former U.S. Senate candidate announces for Young's seat

JUNEAU (AP) — Independent Al Gross announced plans Monday to run for Alaska’s U.S. House seat following the death earlier this month of Rep. Don Young.

Gross’ campaign, in a statement, said he will file as a candidate to fill the remaining term that ends in January, and for the full two-year term that begins in January. Gross in 2020 ran a $20 million campaign for U.S. Senate, losing to incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.

Gross, who has worked as an orthopedic surgeon and fisherman, ran unsuccessfully for the hospital board in Petersburg last year.

A special primary and special election will decide who completes Young’s House term. Candidates face a Friday deadline to file with the state Division of Elections to run in the special primary, set for June 11. The four candidates who get the most votes in the special primary will advance to an Aug. 16 special election, in which ranked choice voting will be used.

The winner in August will fill the seat until January. The regular election in November will decide who fills Alaska’s lone seat in the U.S. House for the next two years.

Chugiak resident Republican Nick Begich III, through his campaign manager, and Anchorage Democrat Christopher Constant, a member of the municipal assembly, also have announced plans to run for the House seat in both the special and regular elections. Several other Alaska politicians have said they are considering joining the race.

Young, who died March 18, was scheduled to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

 

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