With control of the U.S. Senate potentially hanging in the balance, Alaska’s non-partisan primary has produced a competitive early result: Democratic Representative Mary Peltola is narrowly outpacing Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan, with the two set to advance alongside two others into the November general election.
What Happened
With roughly two-thirds of votes counted, Peltola held 46.8% to Sullivan’s 44.4%. A third candidate sharing the Sullivan name, Dan J. Sullivan — a 70-year-old retired schoolteacher and former U.S. Forest Service employee — drew 2.4%. Alaska’s supreme court ordered election officials to place Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot after ruling in June that he qualified to run. Under Alaska’s non-partisan primary system, four candidates advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.
Sullivan, the Republican incumbent, is seeking a third Senate term. Peltola, who made history in 2022 as the first Alaska Native and first woman to represent the state in the U.S. House of Representatives, is now targeting the Senate seat as part of a broader Democratic push to shift the chamber’s balance of power.
Other Key Races
Alaska was not the only state producing notable results. In California, Aisha Wahab led a special runoff election for the House seat vacated by Eric Swalwell with 51% of the vote, with 62% of ballots counted. Wahab’s competitor, Melissa Hernandez, had benefited from millions in spending by super PACs tied to the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC.
In Wyoming, Harriet Hageman was leading the Republican Senate primary. Hageman previously defeated Liz Cheney in the state’s House race and has remained a prominent figure in conservative politics.
Florida produced two historic potential firsts. Byron Donalds, endorsed by President Donald Trump, won the Republican gubernatorial nomination and would become Florida’s first Black governor if he prevails in November. On the Democratic side, David Jolly — a former Republican who switched parties last year — secured the Democratic nomination for governor. In the state’s Senate race, Angie Nixon won the Democratic nomination after defeating Alex Vindman in the primary. Nixon, who would be Florida’s first Black senator if elected, will face Republican Ashley Moody in November.
By the Numbers
46.8% — Peltola’s share of the Alaska Senate primary vote with 66% counted.
44.4% — Dan Sullivan’s share in the same race.
51% — Wahab’s lead in the California special runoff with 62% of votes tallied.
2.4% — The share captured by Dan J. Sullivan, the same-named challenger whose ballot placement required a state supreme court ruling.
The Broader Picture
The Alaska result underscores how difficult the Senate map is for Republicans in 2026. Sullivan has held the seat since 2014, but Peltola has demonstrated statewide appeal since her 2022 House victory. Her ability to compete at these margins in a state that has trended Republican in federal races reflects the uncertainty surrounding America’s economic and political landscape heading into the fall.
Meanwhile, the spending patterns in California’s race — with well-funded outside groups pouring millions into a single House runoff — are a reminder of how aggressively institutional money shapes congressional races far from the national spotlight. The full picture of November’s Senate battleground will come into sharper focus as more primary results are certified in the weeks ahead.
The Republic Standard News Staff
Category: Republic
Tags: Elections, Congress, Mary Peltola, Dan Sullivan