Sullivan Narrowly Leads Peltola in Alaska Senate Race

Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan held a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Mary Peltola in Alaska's 2026 US Senate election, according to preliminary results released Tuesday night, November 3. With hundreds of thousands of ballots still outstanding, the contest could remain undecided until November 18, when the state's ranked-choice tabulation is scheduled.

According to preliminary election figures at approximately 10 p.m. Tuesday, Sullivan received 97,411 votes, representing 48.6% of the total. Peltola followed with 94,941 votes, or 47.4%, leaving the candidates separated by 2,470 votes.

The Alaska Division of Elections reported that 201,705 ballots had been counted across 279 of the state's 401 precincts. Many outstanding precincts are located in rural communities expected to favor Peltola.

The remaining candidates included Republican perennial candidate Gerald Heikes, who received 4,177 votes, or 2.1%. Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg who shares the incumbent senator's name, received 3,303 votes, representing 1.7%.

The Petersburg candidate's campaign has become the subject of a legal dispute involving the Trump administration, which alleges that Democrats and Peltola's campaign coordinated an effort to confuse voters. The Justice Department and Alaska Department of Public Safety are also conducting criminal investigations into the alleged scheme. Dan J. Sullivan appeared on the ballot without party affiliation after changing his registration to undeclared in August.

At her election night gathering at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel, Peltola addressed more than 300 supporters after preliminary results initially showed her with a stronger advantage before the margin narrowed. She acknowledged that counting remained incomplete but expressed confidence in the political direction of the state.

She described the election as part of a broader political shift.

"The weather is changing," said Peltola.

She then pointed to political developments she believed reflected changing public sentiment.

"We have seen it in our lifetimes. And now we are having a political change," said Peltola.

Peltola, the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, opened her remarks with an Iñupiaq-language chant of aarigaa, meaning wonderful or good. She also criticized corporate influence and discussed healthcare, housing, Social Security and the rising cost of everyday necessities.

"We can wrestle our country back," said Peltola.

She continued by criticizing corporate interests and their influence on American politics.

"We can get our country back from corporate greed," said Peltola.

Addressing allegations surrounding Dan J. Sullivan's candidacy, Peltola characterized the controversy as political gossip and accused opponents of attempting to distract voters.

"Juicy gossip," said Peltola, referring to the allegations.

She rejected the accusations and maintained that voters would recognize attempts to divert attention from the election's central issues.

"We know BS when we see it, we know distractions when we see it, and we are not falling for any of their funny business," said Peltola.

At the Hotel Captain Cook, Sullivan addressed supporters at an election night event organized by the Alaska Republican Party for his campaign and that of Congressman Nick Begich. He acknowledged Democratic victories elsewhere in the country but expressed confidence that Alaska would deliver a different result.

"It's a little depressing out there, but we don't think that blue wave is going to crest up in Alaska," said Sullivan.

Shortly after 10 p.m., Sullivan pointed to his campaign's internal figures, which he said showed him ahead. He maintained that those numbers supported his confidence despite the incomplete statewide count.

"Our internal tapes right now have us up. So that's what's important," said Sullivan.

Sullivan also cautioned supporters that determining the final outcome could take considerable time because of the outstanding ballots and subsequent counting procedures.

"We're gonna have a long night, we're probably gonna have some long weeks," said Sullivan.

He cited reports of voting lines at locations on the Kenai Peninsula and strong turnout in areas that traditionally produce substantial Republican margins.

"The night is very young. The night is very young," said Sullivan.

Despite the uncertainty, he reiterated his campaign's confidence in the preliminary outlook.

"We're, like, confident. Confident," said Sullivan.

The election's first preliminary results reflect only voters' initial candidate preferences, although Alaska voters can rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures more than 50% of first-choice votes, the state will eliminate the lowest-performing candidate and redistribute those ballots according to voters' next preferences.

The process will continue until one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes. Alaska has scheduled the ranked-choice tabulation for November 18, while official certification of the election results is set for November 25.

The campaign attracted record spending and unprecedented fundraising by Peltola. Republican President Donald Trump and his vice president also held campaign rallies in Alaska to support Sullivan.

Peltola campaigned on inflation, high fuel prices, income inequality and proposed Medicaid cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She also highlighted her role in securing approval for ConocoPhillips' Willow oil field project.

Sullivan emphasized tax reductions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill and other accomplishments, while acknowledging the financial pressures facing Alaska residents. The final Senate result remains dependent on additional ballot counts and the scheduled ranked-choice process.