Republican Senator Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola have officially advanced to the general election in Alaska. CBS News projects both candidates will appear on the November ballot as the race to determine control of the Senate intensifies. Sullivan is currently serving his second term after a career that includes service as a Marine and work within the State Department.
Peltola, the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, maintains a strong political presence despite losing her House seat in the previous election cycle. She performed well during her 2024 campaign, losing by fewer than three points even as the state voted decisively for the Republican presidential ticket. Her campaign strategy centers on positioning herself as an independent voice for Alaskans, a stance emphasized by her decision to reject fundraising support from former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of this primary.
The battle for this Senate seat represents a significant focal point for both national parties. The Senate Leadership Fund is backing Sullivan with $17 million in advertising commitments. Simultaneously, the Senate Majority PAC has reserved $12 million in television time to aid Peltola. Republicans hold 53 seats in the current Senate. To secure a majority, Democrats need to defend their existing seats while capturing four new positions, making the Alaska race a critical component of their 2026 strategy.
Alaska utilizes a top-four primary system, meaning two additional candidates will eventually join the ballot alongside Sullivan and Peltola. This race remains a high-stakes environment where party spending and candidate independence will define the path to November. Voters in Alaska will ultimately decide if the state stays with the incumbent or shifts toward a new political direction in a race that carries heavy weight for national legislative control.