Alaska Primary Advances Sullivan, Peltola for Senate

Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola advanced from Alaska’s nonpartisan primary on August 18, 2026, setting up a high-stakes November general election that could influence control of the U.S. Senate. The top four finishers in the primary will advance to the general election, which will be decided by ranked-choice voting.

Sullivan, who has held his Senate seat since 2015, and Peltola, who represented Alaska’s at-large House district from 2022 until her defeat in 2024, were the leading contenders in a field of 16 candidates. Their advancement was widely expected, but the primary was dominated by an unusual dispute involving another Republican candidate also named Dan Sullivan.

Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, appeared on the ballot as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. with no party affiliation. The incumbent senator, listed as Dan S. Sullivan, Republican and incumbent, and his allies accused the challenger of being a sham candidate recruited by Democrats to confuse voters and siphon votes in a tight race. The Alaska Supreme Court had previously ruled the challenger could remain on the ballot. Both Peltola and the Alaska...