Peltola Leads Alaska Senate Primary; Sullivan Faces Namesake on November Ballot

Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan will face off in November’s Alaska Senate race after both advanced from Tuesday’s primary. Peltola led with 46.8% of the vote to Sullivan’s 44.4%, according to preliminary results with 66% of votes counted. A third candidate, retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan, also qualified for the general election. The race ranks among the nation’s four tossup Senate seats and could help determine which party controls Congress next year.

How Peltola and Sullivan advanced

Alaska uses a nonpartisan primary where the top four candidates advance to November, regardless of party affiliation. Peltola, a former U.S. representative who served from September 2022 to January 2025, led the 16-candidate field. Sullivan, a two-term incumbent and Trump ally, finished second. Both candidates secured enough votes to guarantee spots on the November ballot. The race has drawn millions in outside spending from national Democratic and Republican groups.

The Dan Sullivan confusion on the ballot

Retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan from Petersburg, Alaska, won a legal fight in June to appear on the primary ballot after the state supreme court ruled he was qualified to run. Sen. Sullivan and GOP allies had claimed the 70-year-old was a sham candidate running to cause confusion. Dan J. Sullivan denied this, saying frustration with the incumbent drove his campaign. He finished third with 2.4% of the vote but still qualified for November under Alaska’s top-four system.

Money and messaging in the race

Sullivan had raised nearly $12 million by the end of July, while Peltola raised more than $18 million. Peltola criticized Sullivan for voting with “corporate greed” and attacked Trump administration policies on healthcare, Medicaid cuts, and fuel costs. Sullivan emphasized his support for the military, oil development, and Trump’s tax bill. Democrats poured millions into the race as they seek to flip the seat and gain ground toward retaking Senate control.

Why this race matters nationally

Alaska is one of only four Senate races rated as a tossup. Democrats must gain at least four seats nationwide to reach a majority in 2027. Alaska last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 2008. Peltola’s 2022 victory made her the first Alaska Native and first woman to represent the state in the House, signaling the state’s willingness to break from Republican patterns. The general election in November will test whether that trend continues at the Senate level.

Final Thoughts

Peltola’s primary lead and higher fundraising give Democrats hope, but Sullivan’s narrow 2.4-point deficit and Trump endorsement make November highly competitive. The unusual three-way ballot with two Dan Sullivans adds unpredictability to a race that could shift Senate control.

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