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- By Levi Rickert
Former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) announced Monday that she is running for the U.S. Senate, challenging two-term Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan in the November 2026 election, a move that could reshape Alaska’s political landscape and boost Democratic hopes of regaining control of the Senate.
Peltola, 52, who previously represented Alaska as its sole member in the U.S. House from 2022 until a narrow defeat in 2024, made the bid official with a campaign video emphasizing Alaska’s unique challenges and her deep local roots. She framed her campaign around a familiar theme of “fish, family and freedom,” a slogan she first used during her successful 2022 run.
“Life is difficult here, and we know we have to take care of each other,” Peltola said in the announcement video. She highlighted rising costs, strained fisheries and a political system she called “rigged” against everyday Alaskans.
Nate Silver, who founded the political analysis website FiveThirtyEight, said on social media that Peltola entering the race shifts Alaska from a Democratic “long shot” to a “plausible” opportunity in the 2026 Senate contest. He added that her candidacy may be the most significant improvement to Democrats’ overall Senate prospects so far this election cycle, despite Alaska’s continued difficulty for Democratic candidates.
Peltola made history in 2022 as the first Alaska Native elected to Congress and the first woman to represent the state in the U.S. House. Her moderate record included bipartisan cooperation, which supporters say could appeal to Alaska’s independent-minded electorate.
A Yup’ik mother of seven and grandmother, Peltola grew up fishing along the Kuskokwim River, an experience she said shaped her understanding of Alaskans’ needs. She stressed her intention to lower grocery and energy costs, protect the state’s fisheries, expand housing and prioritize Alaska’s interests over Washington politics.
Her candidacy represents a significant recruiting success for Democrats, who must flip at least four Senate seats to reclaim a majority in the evenly divided chamber. Alaska, a state that voted decisively Republican in recent presidential elections, is normally considered a GOP stronghold, making Peltola’s bid an uphill challenge.
Sullivan, a former state attorney general and U.S. Marine Corps reservist, has emphasized his record on energy and national security. He has not yet responded in detail to Peltola’s campaign announcement.
When she entered the race on Monday, Peltola became the second Native woman seeking a U.S. Senate seat this year. Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Nation, is seeking the Democratic nomination to fill the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN).
The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18, with the general election on Nov. 3.
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