Sullivan and Peltola locked in tight U.S. Senate race as more results come in

Key Points:

• With over 80% of precincts reporting, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan holds a narrow lead over Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, with 48.3% to 47.5% respectively, while a third candidate sharing Sullivan’s name has 1.7%.
• The race has been overshadowed by a ballot controversy involving a second Dan Sullivan, leading to federal and state investigations and legal battles over alleged voter confusion and ballot-stacking tactics.
• If no candidate surpasses 50% of first-choice votes after all ballots are counted, the winner will be determined by ranked choice voting, with final tabulations expected by November 18.
• Peltola, who would be the first Alaska Native U.S. Senator and the first Democrat to win a Senate seat in Alaska since 2008, campaigned on affordability and environmental issues, while Sullivan emphasized his military background, resource development, and integrity in contrast to Peltola’s campaign controversies.
• Voter opinions are divided, with some dismissing the ballot controversy as irrelevant to their vote, while others cite it as a reason to support Sullivan, reflecting the polarized political environment in Alaska amid a broader national blue wave.