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Peltola Fires Aide, Promotes Cheryl Bruce Ahead of Primary

8/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) fired senior aide Elisa Rios, dismissed a deputy campaign manager, and promoted Cheryl Bruce to campaign manager days before Tuesday’s primary.
Data for Progress poll released Monday showed Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) leading incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Nick Puglia said even Mary Peltola’s closest advisers consider her “Alaska last” campaign a lost cause.

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Story summary

Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) fired senior aide Elisa Rios, dismissed a deputy campaign manager, and promoted Cheryl Bruce to campaign manager days before Tuesday’s primary.
Data for Progress poll released Monday showed Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) leading incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesman Nick Puglia said even Mary Peltola’s closest advisers consider her “Alaska last” campaign a lost cause.