Anchorage – The last televised debate of the 2026 Alaska Senate race featured a heated exchange between incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger former Rep. Mary Peltola. Both candidates addressed a range of issues that matter to Alaskans, from energy costs and military funding to allegations of personal misconduct.
Ethics and lobbying accusations
Sullivan accused Peltola of using a post‑legislative lobbying firm to profit from her knowledge of Washington, claiming she earned “almost half a million” dollars after leaving the state legislature. “There’s nothing more rigged than a member of Congress getting fired and then immediately walking through the revolving door to cash in,” he said.
Peltola rebutted, saying her lobbying work was intended to benefit Alaskans and pointed out that Sullivan’s net worth had grown from $3 million to $8 million since he arrived in Washington twelve years ago. “That’s the corruption that Alaskans are really sick of, and that’s the corruption that I’ll fight against,” she said.
Military pay and health care controversy
The candidates also clashed over military compensation and health policy. Sullivan alleged that Peltola opposed pay raises for service members because she wanted “more transgender surgeries for our troops.” Peltola called the claim “absurd” and clarified that she voted in favor of three separate measures supporting troops, while noting a single vote on the NDAA that contained language she believed would have limited health care for soldiers stationed in states restricting reproductive health services.
Debate conduct and moderation
During the discussion, Sullivan questioned whether either candidate had received the debate questions in advance. Both moderators confirmed that the questions were not pre‑distributed. When Peltola appeared to read from a prepared note on affordability, Sullivan suggested she might have had prior access, prompting a brief exchange about decorum.
Personal remarks and closing statements
In a moment of civility, each candidate offered a compliment about the other. Sullivan thanked Peltola for attending his Marine Corps retirement ceremony, and Peltola praised Sullivan’s family, noting the dedication of his daughters. The exchange underscored the personal connections that run deep in Alaska’s relatively small political community.
Context and outlook
Fox News Power Rankings currently list the Alaska Senate race as a “toss‑up,” reflecting the narrowing margin between the GOP and Democrats in recent cycles. While Alaska has traditionally leaned Republican, the close contest suggests voters are weighing both policy positions and character concerns raised during the debate.
Both campaigns have pledged to continue engaging Alaskans on issues such as energy affordability, Social Security reform and health‑care access as the election approaches.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
