Democrat Mary Peltola, a former state representative, will be the first Alaska Native in Congress after she won a special election that included GOP candidates Nick Begich and former Gov. Sarah Palin, NBC News projects.

Peltola, who is the executive director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, served 10 years in the state Legislature and campaigned as "Alaska's best shot at keeping an extremist from winning."

"It is a GOOD DAY," Peltola tweeted following the election results. "We've won tonight, but we're still going to have to hold this seat in November."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., lauded Peltola for "making history as the first Alaska Native ever elected to the Congress."