Bill Hill Launches Independent Campaign for Alaska’s House Seat
by pedro graterol
Veteran fisherman and educator Bill Hill launches an independent bid for Alaska’s U.S. House seat, focusing on costs, work, and local life.
Commercial fisherman and longtime educator Bill Hill on Wednesday launched an independent campaign for Alaska’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, currently held by Republican Nick Begich. Hill is entering the race from Bristol Bay with a platform centered on affordability, work, and what he describes as Alaska’s way of life.
Hill is a Dena’ina Athabascan who grew up in Bush Alaska, spending his early years fishing, hunting, and helping his family raise sled dog teams. He was raised in the village of Kokhanok before his family moved to Naknek in Bristol Bay. He has lived in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau and worked as a commercial fisherman, construction worker, and small business owner. Hill spent 25 years as an educator and school administrator and was named Alaska Superintendent of the Year in 2023.
In announcing his campaign, Hill criticized what he described as a federal government that prioritizes wealthy interests over working families. “Right now, our government is making life easier for billionaires and special interests, and harder for people in Alaska,” Hill said in a statement to SDMN. “We need someone in Congress who will fight for Alaskans, including our Latino community.”
Hill said his priorities include strengthening public education, lowering the cost of living, and expanding access to good-paying jobs. “That means good schools, bringing down costs, creating more better-paying jobs, and making Alaska a safe place to raise our families,” he said.
He also raised concerns about federal law enforcement activity in the state. “It means making sure that any federal law enforcement groups operating in Alaska are making our communities safer, not inciting chaos and fear,” Hill said. He also emphasized that “Alaska has been built by people from different backgrounds, and we’re better because of it,” he said. Describing his own background, Hill said, “I’m a lifelong fisherman, a longtime teacher, and a construction worker,” adding that he has lived in Naknek, Kokhanok, Fairbanks, Anchorage, and Juneau. He said most Alaskans want to work hard, care for their families, and live life the Alaska way. Hill argued those goals are becoming harder to achieve as costs rise and politicians in Washington fail to stand up for the state. “I’ll be fighting every day for every Alaskan to be able to build a good life here,” he said.
