Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, engaged in a contentious final debate for the state's U.S. Senate seat, marked by sharp personal attacks and disputes over ethics and character. The exchange occurred as political analysts classify the race as a toss-up, a notable shift for a state that has historically leaned Republican. The candidates clashed over energy costs, the Iran war, Social Security, healthcare, military spending, allegations of misconduct, and fish.
What the Left Is Saying
Mary Peltola characterized Sen. Dan Sullivan as a Washington insider who has enriched himself during his tenure. She stated that Sullivan has grown wealthier since arriving in D.C., noting that his net worth increased from $3 million to $8 million over 12 years. Peltola described this accumulation of wealth as a form of corruption that Alaskans are tired of, asserting that she intends to fight against such practices.
Regarding her own career after leaving office, Peltola defended her lobbying work, stating it was conducted to benefit Alaskans. She dismissed reports from The New York Times alleging she physically and verbally mistreated staff as "gossip" and "unfounded." Her campaign disputed specific allegations, including claims that she used slurs or shoved a staffer. A spokesman for Peltola noted that some of her behavior occurred during a period of extreme grief following the deaths of her mother and husband in 2023.
Peltola also challenged Sullivan's characterization of her vote on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). She stated that the vote was influenced by "trick language" in the bill that would have prohibited soldiers from accessing certain healthcare if they were not stationed in states allowing specific reproductive health services. She argued that she voted against the provision to protect soldiers' access to needed care.
What the Right Is Saying
Sen. Dan Sullivan accused Peltola of participating in the "revolving door" by cashing in on her influence after leaving office. He stated that Peltola made almost half a million dollars last year as a D.C. lobbyist selling her knowledge of the capital. Sullivan noted that she established a lobbying firm after leaving the state legislature, calling her claims about a rigged system hypocritical given her post-government career.
Sullivan raised allegations from a New York Times report citing anonymous staffers who claimed Peltola mistreated employees. He stated that 25 staffers quit Peltola's office due to alleged physical and emotional abuse. Sullivan described these incidents as a "character flaw" and questioned how she treats Alaskans when cameras are not present.
The senator also accused Peltola of blocking pay raises for members of the armed services. He argued that she voted against the troops to secure more transgender surgeries for service members. Sullivan stated that Alaskans are frustrated with what he described as lies and dishonesty in her campaign, urging her to be ashamed of propagating what he termed falsehoods.
During the debate, Sullivan questioned whether Peltola had received debate questions in advance after observing her read answers from a piece of paper. Moderators confirmed that neither candidate had received questions beforehand.
What the Numbers Show
Fox News Power Rankings categorize the Alaska Senate race as a "toss-up," indicating that neither party holds a definitive edge. While Alaska has historically favored the GOP, the margin of victory for Republican candidates has narrowed in recent election cycles. Sullivan cited Peltola's reported lobbying income of almost half a million dollars in the previous year. Peltola cited Sullivan's net worth increase from $3 million to $8 million during his 12 years in Washington. Sullivan referenced a report alleging that 25 staffers left Peltola's office during her time in the House.
The Bottom Line
The final debate highlighted the personal nature of the campaign, with both candidates focusing heavily on the other's character and financial history rather than solely on policy differences. The race's classification as a toss-up suggests that the outcome may hinge on these late-stage attacks regarding ethics and staff treatment. Voters in Alaska will decide between the incumbent Republican senator and the former Democratic representative in a contest that has defied historical partisan trends for the state.