Politics
Independent Bill Hill's Democratic backing draws Republican criticism in Alaska
Independent Bill Hill gained Democratic backing after Matt Schultz exited the race; Rep. Nick Begich says the backing shows Hill is aligned with Democrats.
The short version
- Independent Bill Hill is running for Alaska's at-large House seat against Republican Rep. Nick Begich.[The Washington Sun]
- Hill has the Alaska Democratic Party's endorsement and formal DCCC backing; Matt Schultz suspended his campaign and backed Hill, citing his own poor fundraising.[The Washington Sun]
- Begich says the Democratic backing shows Hill is aligned with the party; a DCCC spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.[The Washington Sun]
- An adviser to Schultz, Jim Lottsfeldt, alleges DCCC officials pressured Schultz for months to leave the race; the claim remains attributed and unverified.[The Washington Sun]
Key facts
- Bill Hill is running as an independent candidate for Alaska's at-large House seat.[The Washington Sun]
- Bill Hill has been endorsed by the Alaska Democratic Party and formally backed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.[The Washington Sun]
- Matt Schultz, the leading Democratic candidate in the race, suspended his campaign and backed Hill, citing his own poor fundraising.[The Washington Sun]
- Republican Rep. Nick Begich, Hill's opponent, stated that Hill is aligned with the Democratic side of the aisle.[The Washington Sun]
- A spokesperson for the DCCC did not respond to a request for comment.[The Washington Sun]
What remains uncertain
- Jim Lottsfeldt, an adviser to Schultz, stated that DCCC officials pressured Schultz for months to leave the race to clear a path for Hill; this is an attributed claim the verified passages do not independently confirm.[The Washington Sun]
- Begich's alignment claim is criticism from Hill's opponent, not an established finding.[The Washington Sun]
- The verified passages cover only Alaska's House race, so whether the same pattern applies to other independent candidates is not established.[The Washington Sun]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.