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Mary Peltola, Dan Sullivan Win Alaska Senate Primary

8/19/2026

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Peltola Wins

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola and incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan won Alaska’s Senate primary on Tuesday, moving to the November general election.
The primary also featured Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., whose ballot eligibility triggered legal challenges and a Justice Department investigation.
Peltola, a Yup’ik, would become the first Alaska Native U.S. Senator if elected.
President Donald Trump endorsed Sullivan, calling Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. an ‘imposter’ on Truth Social.

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Peltola, Sullivan Win

Former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola and Senator Dan Sullivan won Alaska’s Senate primary, moving on to the general election.
Voters worry that costs and a housing shortage could worsen, as retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan campaigns on affordable housing and health-care access.
Peltola’s campaign has raised more than $18.5 million, while Sullivan has raised over $11.7 million.
Sullivan, a Marine veteran, supports Alaska’s oil and gas sector and aligns with President Donald Trump.

History

Historical Context

Ben Nighthorse Campbell became the first Native American elected to the U.S. Senate in 1992, winning Colorado’s Class 3 seat as a Democrat. After switching to the Republican Party in 1995, he secured the seat again in 1998, marking the only Republican victory there since 1968 and the last Native-American Senate win until 2022. His breakthrough underscores the rarity of Indigenous representation in contemporary Senate contests.

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Peltola Wins

Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola and incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan won Alaska’s Senate primary on Tuesday, moving to the November general election.
The primary also featured Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., whose ballot eligibility triggered legal challenges and a Justice Department investigation.
Peltola, a Yup’ik, would become the first Alaska Native U.S. Senator if elected.
President Donald Trump endorsed Sullivan, calling Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. an ‘imposter’ on Truth Social.

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