Republican Nick Begich waves to the crowd at the 2022 U.S. House candidate forum held at the Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention. AFN will not hold a forum this year, a top organizer said Wednesday. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon)
The Alaska Federation of Natives will not include a U.S. House forum in its annual convention, a surprise move that erases a cornerstone of Alaska’s political calendar.
Ordinarily, the political forums on the final day of AFN’s convention are some of the most important events for prospective Alaska politicians seeking statewide office. More than 1 in 5 Alaskans has Native ancestry, and the AFN convention is the state’s largest annual Native forum.
Candidates in this year’s U.S. House race already had a forum penciled into their calendars, but no invitations had been sent.
Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, was elected to a two-year term in 2022 after AFN attendees gave her their endorsement that year. She’s now seeking re-election against three competitors, including Republican candidate Nick Begich.