Alaska Senate candidates Dan Sullivan and Mary Peltola clashed over the Iran war, soaring energy prices and each other's records in a testy televised debate Thursday evening in Anchorage, with the race for the U.S. Senate seat drawing two weeks to Election Day and control of the closely divided chamber at stake.
The debate aired live from Alaska Public Media's Anchorage studio as part of the "Debate for the State" series, moderated by chief editor Lori Townsend. Before it began, supporters of both candidates rallied outside with signs and a bullhorn — an early sign of the stakes in a race the Cook Political Report moved from Lean Republican to Toss Up in July.
Iran war and energy prices take center stage
The sharpest exchanges came over the Iran war and its effect on household costs. Two-term Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan said the war needs to end soon, calling for the Strait of Hormuz to reopen and a deal keeping Iran from nuclear weapons. He backed the war powers used against Iran — "the largest state sponsor of terrorism should not have nuclear weapons" — but said Congress "definitely should have been consulted" about the unilateral decision. He conceded energy costs "from this war are too high" and argued the fix was to "produce more energy by and for Alaskans."
Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, said an agreement is "so far out of sight" and lamented the deaths of 20 military personnel. Asked whether she backed ending the war without a peace deal, she said: "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." The war anchored her pitch: "This war is driving up our energy bills and hurting Alaskans with no end in sight."
On Ukraine, Peltola said the U.S. must stand with Ukraine rather than "bolstering up Russia," while Sullivan called the diesel deal with Russia "not a good idea" and pointed to a Russia sanctions bill he said he led in Congress.
Clash over records and character
The debate repeatedly turned personal. Sullivan cited New York Times reporting that 25 staffers quit because, in his words, she "abused them physically and emotionally" — a character flaw. Peltola called the allegations "outright fabrications or mass exaggerations of the truth" and said the election was not about her "worst day." She countered that Alaskans "have had it up to here with the lying and the dishonesty," telling Sullivan he "should be ashamed of yourself." Each candidate also sought to tie the other to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and each denied the claims.
Sullivan also accused Peltola of reading from notecards; both moderators denied any leak and Peltola said she was simply better prepared. Both candidates agreed a third presidential term for Donald Trump would be unconstitutional.
A toss-up race drawing national attention
On prices, Peltola blamed the Trump administration for rising gas and consumer costs and for pulling back from traditional alliances, while Sullivan warned Democratic leadership would undercut the military and curb domestic energy production.
The contest has drawn national attention: Trump rallied for Sullivan in Wasilla on Tuesday, and JD Vance visited Fairbanks the week before. Recent disclosures show Peltola raised roughly $17 million over three months, while Sullivan held about $7.3 million in cash on hand versus her $4.6 million. Election Day is Nov. 3, with in-person early voting beginning Oct. 19. Alaska has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008.
Music in this post's reel: Kevin MacLeod - Hitman (incompetech.com), licensed under CC BY 3.0
Our take
Sullivan leaned on energy production and his Senate record; Peltola on ending the war and blaming Washington for high prices. With the chamber's balance in play and a toss-up rating, the final two weeks will likely come down to which argument reaches Alaska voters first.
Sources: AP report on the debate, via the Los Angeles Post; KTUU/Alaska's News Source debate coverage; Washington Examiner takeaways; News-USA Today debate recap.