Ranked choice voting had a lot to do with it. Palin always reminded me of a dizzy blond without the blond hair or Lucile Ball of I love Lucy without the red hair. What happened, 2 Republicans 1 Democrat, Begich the other Republican finished third with a majority of his voters making D Peltola their 2nd choice over Palin or instead of Palin. Palin and Begich went negative in their personal attacks leaving Peltola alone. What all that negativity caused Begich voters to list Peltola as their 2nd choice over Palin. One of these because of what you wish for or how you campaign,

Round 1
Begich, Nick 53,756 28.52%
Palin, Sarah 58,945 31.28%
Peltola, Mary S. 75,761 40.20%

Round 2

Palin, Sarah 85,987 48.53%
Peltola, Mary S. 91,206 51.47%

I’ve never cared for ranked choice voting.

It's high past time that we start electing Americans to congress and the presidency who put America first instead of their political party. For way too long we have been electing Republicans and Democrats who happen to be Americans instead of Americans who happen to be Republicans and Democrats.