Wyoming’s Barrasso, Hageman Win GOP Primaries, Peltola Advances in Alaska House Race

GOP House hopefuls pledge not to target each other in the ranked-vote general election race to unseat Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) in 2024.

Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) secured victories in Wyoming’s primary elections on Aug. 20, defeating their Republican rivals.

Alaska’s primaries resulted in four House candidates, including incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska), advancing to the general election through the state’s ranked voting system.

Barrasso, running for his fourth Senate term, was declared the winner with a significant lead in the primary election, setting up a match against Democrat educator Scott Morrow in November.

Hageman, a first-term incumbent who defeated Rep. Liz Cheney in the previous election, easily won the GOP primary and is expected to face little opposition in the general election against progressive Kyle Cameron.

Wyoming’s state legislature GOP primaries saw a competition between Freedom Caucus conservatives and Wyoming Caucus moderates, reflecting the state’s predominantly Republican voter base.

Republicans hold a strong majority in Wyoming’s legislature, and the state has consistently supported former President Donald Trump in recent elections.

Wyoming’s 2024 primary marked the first election under a closed primary system, while Alaska’s open jungle primary allowed for a diverse range of candidates to compete.

Peltola, the first Democrat in fifty years to win Alaska’s House seat, led the primary election results and is set to face Republican challengers Nick Begich and Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom in the general election.

Begich, whose grandfather previously held the same seat, and Dahlstrom have pledged not to engage in attacks against each other to avoid party conflicts that may benefit the incumbent Democrat.

Florida also held its primaries on the same day, with all incumbents advancing to the general election, including Sen. Rick Scott.

These states are among the last to hold primaries in 2024, with Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Rhode Island scheduled for upcoming dates.