GOP boosts Dan Sullivan in Alaska ahead of 2026 Senate fight
Teh Republican Party has officially entered the 2026 Alaska Senate race by releasing an ad supporting incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The ad highlights Sullivan’s backing of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beatiful Bill Act,” which includes permanent Republican tax cuts and expanded access to federal lands in Alaska for oil production, aiming to boost the state’s economic growth. This move marks the GOP’s proactive effort to secure what is currently considered a relatively safe Senate seat. However, the race could become competitive if former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola decides to run. Peltola narrowly lost her Alaska at-large House seat in 2022 and is reportedly considering a bid for the House, Senate, or governor’s office. While election forecasters rate Sullivan’s seat as solid Republican, Alaska’s political history of electing Democrats and independents gives Democrats hope for a potential flip in the upcoming election cycle.
GOP makes foray into Alaska Senate race ahead of potential Democratic challenger
EXCLUSIVE — National Republicans have cut an ad for Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), marking the GOP’s first entry into a relatively safe 2026 midterm seat, which could turn competitive with a potential challenge from former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola.
The roughly 30-second spot, first seen by the Washington Examiner, is from the Senate GOP’s campaign arm and touts Sullivan’s support for President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The ad spotlights “permanent Republican tax cuts” and new access to federal lands in Alaska for oil production, which are included in Trump’s signature domestic policy agenda, which recently became law.
“That means billions in new revenue, fueling a new era of Alaskan growth,” it says.
The video rollout is accompanied by a new pro-Sullivan website that the National Republican Senatorial Committee is also funding and launched this week.
Nonpartisan election forecasters rate Sullivan’s seat solid Republican, but Alaska is one of several states that offer Senate Democrats perennial hope of flipping a longtime GOP state that has a history of also electing some independents and Democrats.
Sullivan, seeking a third term, in 2020 defeated Democratic-backed independent Al Gross, a prolific fundraiser, by double digits despite polls suggesting the race would be far tighter. Outside money from both parties poured into the Last Frontier state.
Centrist Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has served since 2003 and has managed to fend off rivals of all political stripes, even winning a write-in campaign in 2010 after losing the primary to a Sarah Palin-backed candidate.
SENATE DEMOCRATS SEE HOPE FOR MIDTERMS WITH 2024 DOWNBALLOT RESULTS
This time, Democrats are keeping their fingers crossed that Peltola will step back into the political ring. The former congresswoman was ousted from her at-large seat last November by Rep. Nick Begich (R-AK) by less than three percentage points in a state Trump won with double digits.
Peltola, who now works for a law and lobbying firm, has so far kept her powder dry but is reportedly open to running for the House, Senate, or governor. Candidacy filing deadlines are not until next June.
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