Alaska Republican candidate drops out of the U.S. Senate race

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Buzz Kelley, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate suspended his campaign on Monday, September 12, according to the Associated Press.

Kelley, who is from Wasilla, finished fourth in the primary race and was hoping not to divide the Republican vote during the general election, when ranked choice voting will be used. His motivation for dropping out of the election came after Mary Peltola won the special election for the Alaska State House seat, because, according to Kelley, “Republicans Sarah Palin and Nick Begich divided the votes.”

“After the Peltola victory, the divide-and-conquer of Sarah and Nick, I don’t want to be any part of that for the Senate race,” said Kelly in a phone interview with the Associated Press.

Kelly said he didn’t want that to happen again, so he’s dropping his bid and backing Kelly Tshibaka.

The other 2 candidates in the race are incumbent U.S. Lisa Murkowski, who had the most votes in the primary election, and Democrat Pat Chesbro.

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