THE 2026 CANDIDATE FILE
Candidate for U.S. Senate · Alaska
THE PERSON
Heather McElwain describes herself as a Wasilla mother of four who grew up in Eagle River. Her campaign says she earned a GED through Nine Star and a travel-and-tourism diploma at Career Academy Trade School; these are not presented as college degrees.
Background sources checked October 31, 2026.
THE POLICIES
Campaign promises are labeled separately from past actions. These are sourced positions, not endorsements or predictions. No stance is assigned from party affiliation.
Proposes closing federal purchases of personal data that would otherwise require a warrant and restricting federal support for mass license-plate surveillance.
Source checked October 31, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Opposes prolonged foreign wars and wants Congress to reclaim war-declaration authority.
Source checked October 31, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Supports Pell eligibility for short credentials, career-and-technical education and apprenticeships.
Source checked October 31, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Seeks a federal income-tax exemption for Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend, while acknowledging the state controls its size.
Source checked October 31, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.Supports hard bycatch caps, full observer coverage and Alaska representation on the regional fishery council.
Source checked October 31, 2026 · Publication date shown in the linked source when available.THE ELECTION
U.S. Senate · November 3, 2026
Candidate listing checked October 29, 2026.
Alaska Division of Elections — certified 2026 general-election candidates ↗The candidate’s name and party follow the official ballot source. Backgrounds and issue positions are checked separately. A candidate is not an officeholder-elect unless a verified result establishes that status.