The two major candidates vying for an Alaska Senate seat squared off Thursday night over issues ranging from the war with Iran to controversies during the Democratic nominee’s time in Congress in a debate that at times flared into personal attacks.
Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan described Democratic challenger Mary Petola as someone who sought a lobbying paycheck after her time serving in the House ended in 2025, pointing to recent reporting on the tumult in her congressional office during her tenure.
Peltola sought to tie Sullivan’s support for the war in Iran to the increase in the cost of living at home, pointing out Sullivan’s own increase in wealth while in office.
The race between Sullivan and Peltola, which NBC News rates as a toss-up, is one of a handful that could determine control of the Senate in November. Democrats have targeted the seat as one of five potential pickup opportunities, despite the fact that Donald Trump carried Alaska by double digits in 2024.
When asked what he thought of the White House’s recent announcement that it would allow the release of Russian diesel fuel onto the global market, Sullivan drew a distinction between himself and the Trump administration, a tack other Republicans in tight races have taken in recent debates.
“I just led the effort on a Russia sanctions act that passed the Congress, so I’m opposed to that,” Sullivan said.
The senator then pivoted to his opposition to the Pentagon’s now withdrawn announcement that it would livestream the execution of convicted terrorist Nidal Hasan.
“Certainly he needs to be executed, but if you have a livestreaming of this terrorist, you are going to create more terrorists,” Sullivan said.
Asked about the war with Iran, both candidates said the conflict should end soon.
Peltola attributed the increase in prices at home to the ongoing conflict — issues that polling has shown have become a drag on Republicans heading into Novemberg.
“There does not appear to be a peace deal on the horizon, and I think it’s so important that our military be removed and protected,” Peltola said when asked whether she would support ending the war without a peace deal.
Sullivan said he supported President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran because “the largest state sponsor of terrorism should not have nuclear weapons.”
“But it needs to end soon. The energy costs from this war are too high,” Sullivan continued, adding that boosting domestic energy production would bring down costs.
In another exchange, Sullivan leveled criticism of Peltola’s lobbying work after losing her the state’s at-large House seat in 2024.
“Mary, you’re walking through the revolving door so much you must be getting dizzy up here,” Sullivan said.
Peltola responded by noting the increase in Sullivan’s net worth during his two terms as a senator.
“Dan’s been in D.C. for 12 years and has gotten richer every single one of those years,” Peltola said.
Sullivan shot back, referring to a recent New York Times article that described turmoil in her congressional office and campaign, including angry outbursts and offensive language.
“Twenty-five staffers quit on Mary Peltola because she abused them physically and emotionally, and then she slanders every other group, African Americans, special needs individuals. It is a character flaw on my opponent,” Sullivan said, referring to the Times’ reporting on her time on Capitol Hill.
Peltola was later asked directly about the Times’ reporting.
“I don’t think this election is about me on my worst day,” Peltola said, calling the stories “allegations” and “mass exaggerations of the truth.”
Thursday’s debate comes just days after Trump visited Wasilla, Alaska, to hold a rally in support of Sullivan amid his multistate blitz to shore up Republican candidates, and Vice President JD Vance visited Fairbanks earlier this month.
The subject of Trump, however, was largely absent from Thursday’s debate, a departure from other high-profile races.
Alaska last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 2008, when Sen. Mark Begich ousted incumbent Republican Ted Stevens.
Petola finished ahead of Sullivan in August’s all-party primary, with Peltola receiving 49.5% of the vote and Sullivan taking 41.4%.
A second Republican candidate also named Dan Sullivan — who has denied Republican accusations of being a ploy to confuse voters — received only 2.5% of the vote. Dan J. Sullivan did not participate in Thursday night’s debate, although he will be on the ballot in November.
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