Sullivan and Peltola trade personal attacks in final Alaska Senate debate

Sen. Dan Sullivan and former Rep. Mary Peltola exchanged sharp personal criticisms during the final debate of the Alaska Senate race, a contest that Fox News Power Rankings currently rate as a toss-up. The candidates clashed over corruption, character flaws, and policy disputes in a debate that highlighted the narrowing margins in a state that has historically favored the Republican Party.

Peltola accused Sullivan of enriching himself while serving in Washington, D.C., noting that his net worth increased from $3 million to $8 million over his 12 years in office. She described this accumulation of wealth as the type of corruption Alaskans are tired of. Sullivan countered by pointing to Peltola’s post-congressional career as a lobbyist, claiming she earned almost half a million dollars last year selling her knowledge of the capital. He characterized her path from public office to lobbying as a rigged system where a member of Congress gets fired and immediately walks through the revolving door to cash in.

The debate also featured friction over the conduct of the event itself. After Peltola appeared to read from a piece of paper while answering a question on affordability, Sullivan questioned whether she had received the debate questions in advance. The moderators denied this, stating that neither candidate had received questions beforehand. Sullivan persisted, remarking that he was watching his opponent read questions that seemed to be answered.

A significant portion of the exchange focused on a New York Times report alleging that Peltola physically and verbally mistreated her employees. Sullivan cited the report to argue that Peltola treats young Alaskans horribly, stating that 25 staffers quit because of physical and emotional abuse. He further alleged that she slanders African Americans and special needs individuals. Peltola labeled these reports gossip and unfounded, though her campaign did dispute specific allegations, including claims that she used slurs or shoved a staffer. A campaign spokesman noted that some of the behavior occurred during a period of extreme grief following the deaths of her mother and husband in 2023.

The candidates also sparred over military spending and transgender medical procedures. Sullivan accused Peltola of voting against a pay raise for troops because she wanted more transgender surgeries for them. Peltola rejected this characterization as absurd, explaining that her initial vote against the National Defense Authorization Act was due to trick language that would have prohibited soldiers from receiving necessary health care if not stationed in states allowing women’s reproductive health care. She stated that she voted in support of troops on three other occasions.

The debate concluded with each candidate asked to say one nice thing about the other. Sullivan noted that Peltola attended his Marine Corps retirement ceremony, thanking her for honoring his wife and daughters. Peltola responded by praising Sullivan’s lovely daughters, saying she was proud to be present at the service.