Bill Hill, left, a retired Alaska superintendent considering an Independent run, could complicate the 2026 U.S. House race against incumbent Rep. Nick Begich by drawing support from independent and progressive voters under Alaska’s ranked-choice system.
With an Anchorage pastor and a Fairbanks Democrat already in the field, a potential independent bid from Hill could reshape Alaska’s at-large contest.
By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
Naknek, Alaska – Bill Hill, a retired school superintendent and lifelong Alaskan from Naknek, is considering a run for Alaska’s at-large U.S. House seat in 2026, potentially adding a new dynamic to a race already crowded with challengers to Republican incumbent Rep. Nick Begich III.
Hill has not yet filed with the Alaska Division of Elections but has begun circulating campaign-style materials and engaging in political organizing. He is expected to run as an Independent with progressive leanings.
Raised in Kokhanok near Lake Iliamna, Hill grew up subsistence fishing and working on his family’s Bristol Bay commercial fishing operation. He later spent nearly 25 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent, most recently leading the Bristol Bay Borough School District. In 2023, he was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year.
Hill has also worked in rural construction across the state and is a member of both the Laborers union and the National Education Association. He has lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and now resides in Naknek.
Federal Election Commission filings show Hill made three $100 donations through ActBlue between 2024 and 2025, earmarked for Harris for President (C00703975), Friends of Bernie Sanders (C00411330), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for Congress (C00639591), according to publicly available records.
The Race
Begich is seeking reelection after winning the seat in 2024 and enters the cycle with strong fundraising support. Democratic candidates include Anchorage pastor Matthew Schultz, who launched his campaign in October 2025 and has been endorsed by former state Senator Tom Begich, and Fairbanks resident John Brendan Williams, who has filed to run.
If Hill enters the race, he could draw support from independent and progressive voters, potentially reshaping the contest under Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, which rewards broad coalition-building.
Candidates must file by 5:00 p.m. on June 1, 2026, to appear on the August 18 primary ballot.
