For Alaska’s leading candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, it was a busy week of travel that was unusual – and not – • Alaska Beacon

In three days, Alaska’s two leading candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives traveled more than 1,600 miles and appeared on stage in three high-profile debates about the state’s most pressing federal issues.

It was nothing out of the ordinary, they said.

“It’s been very busy in terms of media attention,” Republican candidate Nick Begich said after a Thursday debate in Fairbanks, “but it’s no busier than a normal day on the campaign trail.”

Begich is challenging incumbent Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, and the two leading candidates traveled in quick succession from Anchorage to Kodiak, then to Fairbanks and back to Anchorage.

In the Lower 48, it is the distance between St. Louis and Boston.

The general election campaign is expected to include six forums or debates, putting the two leading candidates on the same stage at the same time. Three of these events took place this week, two of them on Thursday.

“When the debates are over and the cameras are off, I drive to Kenai the next day and Juneau the next day. So we’re not stopping,” Begich said.

Travel efforts in Bush Alaska can be even more challenging than the hectic debate week, Peltola said.

“We will have 10 consecutive days and go to about nine places,” she said.

On a recent campaign trip, she flew to Fairbanks, then to Kotzebue, on to Nome, then back to Fairbanks and then to Nenana in a matter of days.

Is it more difficult mentally or physically?

“When you go on a nine-day trip, you’re out every day and you’re ‘on’ all day for every event and every weather – you never get a private space – it’s physical,” she said.

“That’s the thing. I mean, a lot of my colleagues, the women, just say, ‘Well, how much did you lose?’ How much did you lose?’ For example, how many dress sizes have you reduced because you can’t (eat)? I think short of a surprise divorce, campaigning is the best way to lose weight because you’re just nervous and nervous.”

Starting in Kodiak

Both candidates arrived in Kodiak on Monday and then spent part of the day and Tuesday morning meeting with supporters, visiting local businesses, taking calls and doing campaign work.

It was on Tuesday evening a two-hour fisheries debate – twice as long as a normal campaign debate – hosted by the local chamber of commerce.

Also in attendance was John Wayne Howe, an Alaskan Independence Party candidate who flew in from Fairbanks to attend. The fourth candidate on the ballot, Democrat Eric Hafner, is in prison, serving a 20-year sentence and is not participating in debates.

Much of the event was devoted to a technical discussion on fishing, but last quarter Begich expressed anger at Peltola over ads claiming that Alaskans would not have fish to eat if Begich was elected.

“It frustrates me when people say that there is somehow no fish in Alaska because I’m elected. This is absolutely wrong and everyone knows it and she knows it,” he said.

On to Fairbanks

Two days later, at a debate hosted by the Alaska Chamber of Commerce in FairbanksPeltola was the first to launch the rhetorical attack when he questioned Begich’s ties to the conservative House Freedom Caucus.

It was a shift from Kodiak when Peltola said she was there to talk about fish, not attack other candidates.

“I was surprised by the attacks on me in Kodiak because the format that was presented to us didn’t allow for that,” Peltola said. “At that moment they… wanted to start the forum with three mutual questions, and when I saw how abusive he was, I realized that I need to be prepared for attacks. I can’t continue taking this sitting down. I have to fight back.”

Immediately after the debate, both of them headed to the airport to have a quick look around. Just five hours later, another debate was scheduled 260 miles away in Anchorage.

The quick switch was the result of a scheduling coincidence – Begich had signed up for the Fairbanks debate, and Peltola had done the same for the TV debate.

Instead of rescheduling, they made both possible. The weather and Alaska Airlines’ flight schedule cooperated so that both events could take place on time.

At the Fairbanks airport, Begich was traveling with his campaign manager, and the two were huddled at a table at the airport’s coffee stand when they were interrupted by a surprise visitor – Begich’s neighbor in Eagle River.

That’s what happens in Alaska, he said – everywhere you go, you meet someone you know.

While Begich boarded his flight, Peltola and a group of helpers searched for a seat at the opposite end of the airport hall.

Surrounded by empty chairs, she flipped through her notes before boarding and taking her seat in the back cabin of the afternoon flight from Fairbanks to Anchorage.

Arrival in Anchorage

On the way from the Anchorage airport to the Alaska Public Media television studio, Peltola supporters waved signs and cheered as she passed.

The televised “Debate for State” is the most-watched event of each campaign year, and Peltola and Begich were generally cordial as they answered pointed questions from the debate moderators.

It was that first debate of the general election, which focused on questions on social issues.

When asked how they fared, both U.S. House candidates said it was hard to say.

“I would have to watch it again to see it. When you’re in the middle of it, you can’t tell,” Begich said.

“I always feel like I’ve been bombarded. I’m a doomsday,” Peltola said. “I’m not a good judge of how things are going; When I think about delays of several seconds in my answers, I have forgotten these 20 things.”

Peltola and Begich each said debate week allowed voters to hear their differences and similarities.

“We’re trying to present a vision for the state. I think there are some similarities. I think we both want the state to thrive and grow,” Begich said. “We have different ideas about how this can happen and different priorities for how this should be implemented. But that’s what a political market is all about. We can decide which of these people will best represent our state. That’s good. That’s healthy.”

GET TOMORROW’S HEADLINES.

SUBSCRIBE