Alaska’s Senate Race: Two Sullivans and a High-Stakes Election
In Alaska’s Senate race, former teacher Dan J. Sullivan will contend with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. NBC News reports these three candidates will appear on the general election ballot. Republicans have suggested that Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy might confuse voters in this crucial race, but he denies these claims.
Alaska’s election system allows the top four candidates, regardless of party, to advance from an all-party primary to a ranked-choice general election. This system could lessen any potential voter confusion. In a ranked-choice format, voters can rank both Sullivans. However, some voters choose to rank only one candidate, which could influence a close race. The Alaska Senate race is predicted to be tightly contested.
Democrats view Alaska as a potential seat flip, despite the state favoring President Donald Trump in the last three presidential elections. Peltola, a former state legislator, became the first Alaska Native in Congress in a 2022 special election. She lost her seat after one term by just three percentage points, showing strong performance compared to the Democratic ticket led by Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.
Dan J. Sullivan, previously elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, highlights his work on veterans’ issues and support for Alaska’s fishing industry. Republican backers question the motives of the other Sullivan, labeling him a potential Democratic plant due to his recent registration as a Republican and connections with a Democratic consultant.
Both state and federal authorities are investigating if his campaign is intended to confuse the electorate. The federal probe has advanced, with subpoenas issued to gain information about Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign. Sullivan mentioned to The New York Times that he registered as a Republican following the dissolution of his previous party, the Alaska Independence Party, and refrained from discussing his interactions with the Democratic consultant due to the investigation.