Democratic leaders seek bipartisan coalition in backing challengers

State Democratic Party officials are backing challengers to two Democrats who caucus with the Republican-led House majority. The challengers and party officials say this will increase the chances for a bipartisan coalition.
There’s a long history of rural legislators joining majority caucuses, regardless of the party. In the House, four Democrats from northern and Western Alaska have joined the Republican caucus since 2009.
This year, Benjamin Nageak of Barrow and Bob Herron of Bethel are