Mary Peltola Reschedules Alaska Campaign Events After Car Crash

Alaska Senate candidate Mary Peltola and her family sustained minor injuries when another driver struck their vehicle as they traveled to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet, her campaign announced Sunday, October 25, 2026. The crash required medical attention and forced Peltola to postpone campaign appearances while she recovers.

Cheryl Bruce, campaign manager for Alaskans for Mary, confirmed that Peltola and her family were recovering in good spirits. The campaign said medical professionals advised Peltola to reschedule upcoming events.

"Mary and her family sustained minor injuries but are in good spirits," campaign manager Cheryl Bruce said in a statement.

The accident disrupted the launch of Peltola's Alaska Always Tour, a campaign initiative scheduled to visit eight locations across the state. According to the campaign, appearances in Fairbanks and Bethel originally planned for Sunday and Monday would move to later in the week.

"Mary is disappointed that the accident is delaying the start of her Alaska Always Tour, and she is eager to get back on the campaign trail to speak directly with Alaskans about her plan to take on the rigged system and lower costs for working families," Bruce said.

The campaign also confirmed that Peltola would take time to recover in accordance with medical advice. Events in Homer, Kenai, Seward, Juneau, Anchorage and Palmer remained scheduled to proceed as planned, according to the campaign's announcement reported by CBS News and SAN.

Peltola, 53, is challenging Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in an effort to become Alaska's first Democrat elected to the Senate since 2008. Her candidacy follows a political milestone in 2022, when she became the first Democrat in 50 years to represent Alaska in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Peltola finished as the top vote-getter in Alaska's August top-four primary, securing a place in the general election alongside Sullivan and two other candidates. The contest is being conducted under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system.