The short version
- The U.S. Senate race features incumbent Dan S. Sullivan against former Representative Mary Peltola and a third candidate sharing the senator's name, creating potential voter confusion.
- Governor Mike Dunleavy is term-limited, opening the executive office to a diverse field including two Democrats who could become the state's first Democratic governor since 2002.
- Voters also decided on a ballot measure to reinstate campaign contribution limits, reversing a previous federal court ruling that struck down such caps.
Alaska voters cast ballots in primary elections Tuesday, selecting the top four finishers from crowded fields who will advance to November's ranked-choice general election. The contests are drawing intense national scrutiny, particularly the U.S. Senate race, which political strategists view as a critical battleground for control of the chamber. Under the state's open primary system, all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation, requiring voters to navigate a complex landscape of contenders for the Senate, House, and governorship.
The Senate contest is dominated by two-term Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan and Democratic former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola. Sullivan, a veteran and ally of President Donald Trump, has centered his campaign on military support, expanding oil development opportunities, and the tax legislation passed last year. He has characterized Peltola as aligned with liberal interests from the Lower 48 states. Peltola, who previously used the slogan 'fish, family, freedom' to secure election in 2022, has criticized the political system for being rigged by special interests that allow politicians to enrich themselves. She recently reshuffled her campaign leadership just days before the primary vote.
Complicating the Senate race is the candidacy of Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg who shares the incumbent's name. After a legal battle in which the senator and Republican allies claimed he was a sham candidate designed to confuse voters on behalf of Democrats, a judge ruled he was eligible to appear on the ballot. To minimize confusion, state elections officials listed him as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. with no party affiliation, while the incumbent appears as Dan S. Sullivan, Republican and incumbent. The 'incumbent' label is unique to the senator and does not accompany other candidates seeking reelection.
The naming conflict drew attention from President Trump, who endorsed the senator on social media shortly before the primary. Trump described the third candidate's run as an attempt to trick voters and urged his supporters to vote specifically for 'SULLIVAN, DAN S.' Dan J. Sullivan denied allegations that he was acting at the behest of Democrats, stating instead that his frustration with the incumbent motivated his decision to run. The presence of three prominent candidates in a top-tier race highlights the potential for strategic voting and split ballots in Alaska's unique electoral system.
In the race for Alaska's sole House seat, Republican Representative Nick Begich is seeking a second term against independent Bill Hill, a fisherman and former educator from a southwestern village. Progressive Democrat Matt Schultz suspended his campaign last month but remains on the ballot; his team indicated he would withdraw if he finishes in the top four. Schultz has urged supporters to back Hill, who has focused his messaging on affordability concerns. Begich, endorsed by Trump, portrayed himself as effective and hardworking, drawing support from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who attended a closed rally for Begich in a conservative region of the state.
The governor's race is an open contest because Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy is barred by term limits from seeking a third consecutive term. The field includes two Democrats, former state lawmakers Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich, who is Nick Begich's uncle. A victory for either Democrat in November would mark the first time a Democratic governor has held the office since Tony Knowles left in 2002. The Republican side features several prominent figures, including businessperson Bernadette Wilson, former labor commissioner Click Bishop, former Anchorage mayor Dave Bronson, and two former members of Dunleavy's Cabinet, Adam Crum and Treg Taylor. Independent former Governor Bill Walker is also on the ballot.
Beyond the candidate races, voters considered a single statewide initiative aimed at reimposing campaign contribution limits in state and local elections. This measure seeks to reverse a decision made five years ago by a divided federal appeals court that struck down numerous caps on political donations. The proposal would set a $2,000 limit on individual contributions to candidates. The outcome of this measure could reshape the financial landscape of Alaska politics, potentially altering how campaigns are funded and reducing the influence of large donors in future elections.
The primary results will determine which four candidates advance to the general election for each office. Given the ranked-choice voting system used in November, voters will rank their preferences among the finalists, meaning that a candidate does not need a majority of first-choice votes to win. The Senate race, in particular, is being watched closely by national party organizations, with both Republican and Democratic groups identifying it as a top target. The interplay between local issues, such as oil development and affordability, and national political dynamics will likely define the final outcome.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- PBS NewsHour↗Dan Sullivan, another Dan Sullivan and an ex-congresswoman face off in Alaska's U.S. Senate primary
