RismadarVoice Reporters, August 19, 2026
The Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola have advanced to the November general election for Alaska’s Senate seat, according to projections by NBC News.
However, uncertainty remains over whether another candidate with the same name as the incumbent senator will also appear on the general election ballot.
Alaska uses a unique top-four primary system in which candidates from all parties compete in the same primary. The four leading candidates then advance to the November election, which is decided using ranked-choice voting.
While Sullivan and Peltola have secured places in the general election, the remaining two positions have yet to be determined.
A Republican candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, who previously worked as a teacher, is also contesting the primary.
The incumbent senator and his Republican allies have alleged that the second Sullivan is part of an effort to confuse voters, a claim the former teacher has denied.
Peltola’s campaign has also rejected allegations that it had any involvement in the second Sullivan’s candidacy.
The unusual contest has already triggered legal and investigative scrutiny. State and federal authorities are examining whether the candidacy is connected to an alleged effort to mislead voters.
The federal investigation is continuing, with a law enforcement official saying a grand jury recently issued subpoenas seeking information from witnesses linked to the Dan J. Sullivan campaign.
Democrats regard Alaska as one of their potential opportunities to gain a Senate seat as they seek to win control of the chamber.
The party needs to gain four seats to secure a Senate majority, making Alaska an important target despite the state’s Republican leanings.
Former congresswoman Peltola is viewed by Democrats as a strong candidate because of her previous success in statewide elections.
Peltola became the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress after winning a 2022 special election. She subsequently won a full term later that year but lost her 2024 re-election bid by three percentage points.
She nevertheless performed better than Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the state, receiving nearly 16,000 more votes.
Peltola has built her campaign around local issues and uses the slogan “fish, family, freedom.” She has also criticised what she describes as a political system that is “rigged” against ordinary Alaskans.
Peltola has raised more money than Sullivan during the campaign, bringing in about $18m compared with the incumbent’s $12m.
She has also spent more heavily, leaving Sullivan with approximately $7.3m in campaign funds compared with Peltola’s $4.6m as of July 29.
Sullivan has sought to portray Peltola as too liberal for Alaska, accusing her of being aligned with politicians and interests from outside the state.
President Donald Trump has endorsed Sullivan, who has generally supported the administration’s policies.
Sullivan, a former Marine first elected to the Senate in 2014, has highlighted his record on veterans’ issues and his support for Alaska’s fishing industry.
Peltola’s campaign has meanwhile undergone a recent leadership change, with deputy campaign manager Cheryl Bruce taking over as campaign manager after Anton McParland moved into a different role.
The final shape of the November ballot will depend on the remaining primary results and whether the second Dan Sullivan ultimately advances.
