Donald Trump endorses 'proven fighter' Nancy Dahlstrom to win over Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Donald Trump has stepped in on the congressional campaign in Alaska, endorsing a particular Republican candidate to remove Alaska Democrat Representative Mary Peltola from office.

In a post on Truth Social on Monday, June 17, Trump endorsed Alaska Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom, saying the state's representative will be a "tremendous" voice for Alaskans in the House and that she is "a proven fighter."

What did Donald Trump say about Nancy Dahlstrom?

"Nancy Dahlstrom will be a tremendous Congresswoman for the Great People of Alaska, just as she was as your Lieutenant Governor," Trump wrote, per Fox News.

"Nancy is a proven fighter! In Congress, she will work to Secure the Border, Create Jobs, Lower Taxes, Promote American Energy Independence, Support our Incredible Military and Police Officers, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment," he added.

"Nancy Dahlstrom is a WINNER, and has my Complete and Total Endorsement," the former president added. "SHE WILL NOT LET YOU DOWN!"

Nancy Dahsltrom is 'honored' to have Donald Trump’s endorsement

The outlet spoke to Dahlstrom, who declared her intention to challenge Peltola in November last year, and she said she was "honored" to have Trump's support, adding that he understands the significance of the contest.

"I am honored to have President Trump’s endorsement in my run for Congress. He knows how important this race is for Alaska and the country," she said. "I cannot wait to work with him in Washington to get America back on track!"

Nancy Dahlstrom is running in the state's nonpartisan primary election 

Dahlstrom is one of about a dozen contenders vying to represent Alaska's At-Large Congressional District in the House in the state's nonpartisan primary.

Nick Begich, a Republican contender who lost his bid to represent Alaska in the House in the 2022 election cycle, is one of Dahlstrom's main rivals.

Trump noted Begich's candidacy in his endorsement of Dahlstrom, insisting he "has Democrat tendencies" and "refused to get out of this Race last time, which caused the Republicans to lose this important seat to Mary Peltola…"

Nick Begich announced his bid for the House seat last July

Begich declared his candidacy for the House seat in July of last year. His father had served as the state's at-large congressional district representative in the early 1970s.

Trump also took aim at Peltola in his post on social media, saying she "is very unpopular, allowed the Democrats to terminate ANWR (something which every Republican President since Ronald Reagan wanted, but only I got!), and is doing a terrible job for Alaska."

Mary Peltola faced renewed criticism earlier this year from GOP challengers

Peltola's Republican opponents have been criticizing her more and more this year for not standing up to the Biden administration's policies, which they say will hurt Alaska's "resource development" and "economic prosperity" in the United States.

The only Democrat to hold statewide office in Alaska, Peltola, and her supporters became irate when, in May, she voted "present" on a bill intended to reverse some of President Joe Biden's 63 executive orders that targeted the state's oil and gas industry.

Peltola, who has been a member of the House since 2022 and supported Biden's reelection, will compete against Dahlstrom, Begich, and other candidates in Alaska's primary election, which is scheduled for August 20 and will employ ranked-choice voting.

Regardless of party affiliation, the top four candidates advance to the state's general election on November 5.