Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola are advancing to the general election in Alaska's Senate primary, with Sullivan defending his seat that could determine control of the chamber next year. The top-four vote getters from the primary advance to the general election. The Republican-led Senate Leadership Fund has announced $17 million in advertising spending to boost Sullivan, while the Democratic-backed Senate Majority PAC has reserved over $12 million for television ads supporting Peltola's bid to flip the seat. Peltola's campaign rejected support from former Vice President Kamala Harris' PAC days before the primary.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-19,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Dan S. Sullivan, a Republican senator from Alaska, will face off against Mary Peltola, a former Democratic congresswoman, in the state's Senate election this November. Both candidates advanced to the general election after the primary, which used ranked-choice voting and allowed the top four finishers to move on regardless of party affiliation.
The unusual aspect of this election is that there are two other candidates with the same last name as Senator Sullivan: Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher who ran as a Republican, and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a former employee of the US Forest Service who was listed on the ballot with no party affiliation. The latter candidate had initially sought to confuse voters by filing under his full name, but a court ruled in favor of allowing him to appear on the ballot.
Alaska's top-four primary system and ranked-choice voting have created a unique dynamic, with three candidates sharing the same last name competing against each other. This has led to accusations that Dan J. Sullivan is a "Democratic plant" trying to draw votes away from the incumbent senator and benefit Mary Peltola, who is also running for the seat.
The endorsement of Senator Dan S. Sullivan by Dan A. Sullivan, a former mayor of Anchorage, has added another layer to this complex election. With primary votes still being counted, Peltola leads with 48% of the vote, followed closely by Senator Sullivan at 43%. The outcome of this election is likely to have significant implications for control of the US Senate in the upcoming midterm elections.
Written for “Alaska Senate Primary Results” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 9 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
verbatim and was checked against the article text before being
stored, so you can find it in the original.
Leaning score -0.35 for article 1191 (medium confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-24
Washington — GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola are among those advancing to the general election in November in Alaska's Senate race, CBS News projects, as Sullivan defends his seat in a race that could be key to determining control of the chamber next year.
uncertain
that → advance → chamber
Though Alaska hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008, Sullivan, a second-term senator and a Marine veteran who worked at the State Department under the George W. Bush administration, faces a formidable opponent in Peltola.
Peltola, 52, became the first Democrat to represent the state in the House in 50 years in 2022, though she ultimately lost her reelection bid for Alaska's sole House seat the following cycle.
asserted
she → elect → seat
But Peltola, the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, fell short by less than 3 points in the 2024 race, despite President Trump winning the state by 13 points.
asserted
Trump → serve → points
With midterm dynamics traditionally boosting the party opposing the White House, Democrats are hoping Peltola, who's billed herself as an independent voice for Alaskans, can flip the seat in this year's election, getting them one step closer to taking control of the chamber.
asserted
them → boost → chamber
In Alaska, the top-four vote getters in the primary advance to the general election.
asserted
getters → advance → election
The other two candidates have not yet been determined.
asserted
candidates → determine → ?
As Sen. Sullivan, 61, fights to hold onto his seat, which he last won by a comfortable margin in 2020, Republicans are investing in the contest.
asserted
Republicans → fight → contest
The Senate Leadership Fund has announced $17 million in advertising spending to boost Sullivan in the race.
asserted
Fund → announce → race
On the Democratic side, the Senate Majority PAC has also invested, with more than $12 million in television reservations to support Peltola.
asserted
PAC → invest → Peltola
But as Peltola is campaigning to flip the seat, she's drawn a line between herself and one high-profile national Democrat.
asserted
she → campaign → herself
Peltola's campaign rejected the support of former Vice President Kamala Harris days ahead of the primary, after Harris' PAC sought to fundraise on her behalf.
asserted
PAC → reject → behalf
To flip control of the Senate, where Republicans currently hold 53 seats, Democrats would have to win four seats while defending a handful of their own.
asserted
Democrats → flip → own
The 2026 map has long been viewed as difficult for Democrats, with few opportunities for pickups.
asserted
map → view → pickups
But with races like the one in Alaska, the party sees an opportunity to improve its chances.
asserted
party → see → chances
