A man serving time in a federal prison in New York has advanced from the primary for Alaska's lone US House seat. Eric Hafner, a registered Democrat, secured a spot in the general election.
Hafner pleaded guilty in 2022 to charges of making threats against police officers, judges, and others. He is scheduled for release in 2036.
This marks Hafner's second attempt at the seat, having also run in 2024 and securing a general election ballot spot despite a challenge from the Alaska Democratic party. His advancement in the primary is expected to lead to another legal challenge, as the US constitution requires candidates to reside in the state they represent at the time of the election.
Hafner's candidate information filed with the state lists a Box Elder, South Dakota, mailing address and a New York phone number, which are the same as his mother, Carol Hafner. Neither appears to have ties to Alaska.
Under Alaska's election system, the top four primary finishers proceed to the general election regardless of party affiliation. Hafner received 5,757 votes after 93% of ballots were counted. While this was behind the third-place candidate, Democrat Matt Schultz, Schultz withdrew from the general election and was ineligible to advance.