Libertarian · Alaska at large · 2026
Jim McDermott
McDermott stayed in Alaska after his last Air Force assignment brought him to Anchorage.
Biography
When a reporter called to tell Jim McDermott he had made Alaska's November ballot, his tutoring job at Fort Wainwright left little time to talk.1 Writing children's books is among the interests he lists in his 2026 voter pamphlet biography.2
Born in Savannah, Georgia, McDermott retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant after 22 and a half years of service.2 His final military assignment brought him to Anchorage, where he stayed before moving to Fairbanks in 2006.1
He earned a bachelor's degree in occupational education at Wayland Baptist University and a master's in business organizational management at the University of La Verne.2 His civilian work has included leading the Fairbanks Small Business Development Center, teaching business at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and instructing veterans through the Boots to Business program.2 His earlier jobs included college recruiting for DeVry and working as a warehouse foreman for the Anchorage School District.2
His earlier House campaigns were in 2012, 2014 and 2016.3 His current priorities include congressional term limits, smaller government, mental health clinics and parents' participation in their children's schooling.2 He supports national defense while opposing nation building.2 He faces Republican Congressman Nick Begich III, independent Bill Hill and Democrat Eric Hafner in November.4