Eric Hafner, a convicted felon serving a 20-year sentence, is running for political office in a state he has never visited. His candidacy could impact the results of Alaska’s election due to the ranked-choice voting system.
Alaska’s House of Representatives race is heating up with incumbent Mary Peltola facing off against Republican Nick Begich III and third-party candidate John Wayne Howe. However, a surprising contender has entered the race from an unlikely location – the Otisville Federal Correctional Institution in New York. Inmate 00932-005, also known as Eric Hafner, is running for office despite being incarcerated for threatening public officials in New Jersey.
Mary Peltola, a Democrat and Alaska Native, has deep roots in the state, having grown up in a fishing family. Her challenger, Nick Begich III, comes from a prominent political family in Anchorage. John Wayne Howe, the third-party candidate, has experience in gold mining and even faced off against a bear. On the other hand, Eric Hafner, who has never set foot in Alaska, is campaigning from prison, adding an unexpected twist to the race.
Despite his incarceration, Hafner, 33, has run for Congress before in Hawaii and Oregon. His candidacy in Alaska has faced legal challenges from Democrats but has managed to stay in the race. The possibility of Hafner influencing the outcome of the election has sparked discussions about the national implications of his candidacy and its potential impact on the balance of power in Congress.
As the race for Alaska’s House seat intensifies, the diverse backgrounds and unique circumstances of the candidates add an intriguing element to the political landscape. With Hafner’s unconventional campaign drawing attention to the race, all eyes are on Alaska as the election approaches.
Source: The NY Times
