On Tuesday, voters will narrow down the list of Republican and Democratic candidates vying for the Senate, the U.S. House, and the governor of the Last Frontier state.
Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan faces a field of 15 competitors; however, one name sticks out among the candidates—Dan Sullivan.
Referred to as a “trick” devised by the Alaskan senator’s Democratic rival, U.S. Rep Mary Peltola, Sen. Sullivan denounced the Petersburg-born Sullivan, threatening legal action to remove him from the ballot.
Peltola, the leading Democratic candidate, was first elected in a 2022 special election to replace longtime Republican congressman Don Young, who died after almost 50 years in office.
Peltola’s campaign and the Alaska Democratic Party told reporters they have no involvement or affiliation with either Dan Sullivan.
Dan J. Sullivan announced his candidacy in late May, and his platform sought to elect a Sullivan who cares for and will stand up for Alaska.
Too many politicians like Senator Sullivan are focused on themselves instead of the people they were elected to serve," Sullivan said. "I know firsthand the challenges everyday Alaskans face, and I know that Ohio Dan doesn’t get it - he was born on third base and thinks he hit a home run. It’s time for Alaska to elect a Sullivan that’s on their side.”
Complaints from the Republican Party prompted legal action against Dan J. Sullivan, who they believe could confuse voters at the polls, potentially costing the incumbent votes.
In late June, the Alaska Supreme Court upheld a lower court order that allows Dan J. Sullivan to remain on the state's U.S. Senate ballot.
President Donald Trump weighed in on the Dan debacle, endorsing the incumbent senator, calling him a "GREAT man" and a "very distinguished and Highly Respected Senator."
Sen. Sullivan will appear on the ballot as “Dan S. Sullivan” alongside the labels of “Registered Republican” and “Incumbent.” Challenger Sullivan will be listed as “Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.” without any party affiliation listed, although he filed for office as a Republican.
Democrats believe Perolta, an Alaskan native, has the best chance of unseating the Republicans, who have held the seat since 2008, going into the November election.
Scott Kendall, an election law attorney who's worked with both parties, noted that Perolta’s stance on oil and gas development, which aligns with Alaskan voters, will improve her odds against Sullivan.
Alaska’s ballot is different in that candidates from every party appear on the same ballot and the top four vote-getters advance to the November general election.
Crowded Bid for Governor
Seventeen people are running for governor, each accompanied on a combined ticket with a lieutenant governor candidate.
The crowded race showcases how important standing out has become. Due to Alaska’s open primary approach, candidates have to appeal not only to their own party values, but also be seen as a viable pick beyond party lines.
The race for governor includes two Democrats, former state lawmakers Tom Begich, who represented downtown Anchorage in the Senate, and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, who represented Sitka and other Southeast communities in the House.
Begich has been seen as a slight frontrunner among the 17 candidates due to his political connections, whereas Kreiss-Tomkins’ campaign is funded primarily by contributions from Californian AI company Outside. Regardless, if either of the two Democratic candidates is among the four highest vote-getters this Tuesday, it will be seen as a tremendous win for the party.
On the Republican side, local reporting says Bernadette Wilson is leading the field, running on a platform focusing on education and the Permanent Fund Dividend, which grants residents a share of the wealth generated by the state’s natural resources.
However, many votes are still up for grabs with over 30% of voters still undecided whom to back, citing the candidates' similarity.
While the Republican candidates have, for the most part, steered away from publicly criticizing one another over ideology or style, collectively they have emphasized their support for President Trump and his efforts to boost natural resource development in Alaska.
Half of Alaska’s 20 state Senate seats and all 40 state House seats are up for election in 2026.
Polls close at 8 p.m. local time, which is midnight and 1 a.m. ET.
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