Alaska Primary Returns Send Mary Peltola and Senator Dan Sullivan to High-Stakes Ranked-Choice Contest

ANCHORAGE, AK — Unofficial election returns compiled Wednesday by the Alaska Division of Elections confirmed that former Representative Mary Peltola and incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan captured the top two positions in Alaska's open all-party primary for the U.S. Senate.

Certified Primary Tallies and Ranked-Choice Field

Under Alaska's unified primary system, all candidates appear on a single blanket ballot, with the top four vote-getters advancing to the ranked-choice general election in November regardless of political affiliation. With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Senator Sullivan led the field with 48.2 percent of the statewide vote, followed closely by Peltola with 44.7 percent. Two independent challengers secured the remaining qualifying slots.

Peltola established dominant pluralities across rural Western Alaska, the Bethel region, and urban precincts in Juneau and Anchorage, while Sullivan maintained strong majorities across the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, Kenai Peninsula, and interior mining communities.

High-Stakes Senate Balance of Power

The general election is projected to be one of the most competitive and well-funded Senate contests in modern Alaska history. The race centers on federal resource extraction permitting, Arctic security infrastructure investments, and commercial fisheries protection amidst shifting North Pacific marine ecosystems.

National campaign committees from both major parties announced significant advertising reservations across Alaska media markets starting in early September.

Next Steps in General Election Preparations

The Alaska Division of Elections will conduct final absentee ballot canvassing through August 29 before certifying the official ballot lineup for the November 3 general election.