Mary Peltola, the former Alaska congresswoman and the first Alaska Native elected to the U.S. House, announced Monday that she is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026.
Peltola’s entry sets up a marquee matchup against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who is seeking a third term and remains a favorite in a state that has leaned reliably Republican in federal races.
Peltola made her announcement in a campaign video, framing her bid around issues she described as uniquely important to Alaskans. Those include fishing policy, the high cost of living, energy affordability, and what she called the need for government reform.
Her message largely avoided national party rhetoric, instead emphasizing local concerns and her record of working across party lines.
Peltola served as Alaska’s at-large member of the U.S. House from 2022 until narrowly losing her seat in 2024. Despite that defeat, she remains one of the state’s most recognizable political figures, with a reputation for attracting support from independents and some Republicans.
Democrats see her candidacy as a rare opportunity to compete seriously for a Senate seat in Alaska, which has historically favored GOP candidates.
The race is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate contests of the 2026 midterms. National Democrats are looking to Alaska as part of a broader strategy to flip key seats and regain control of the Senate.
Republicans, meanwhile, are focused on defending Sullivan’s seat in a state President Trump carried by 13.13% in 2024.
Alaska’s primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18, 2026. Under the state’s ranked-choice voting system, the top candidates will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.
With Peltola now officially in the race, the Alaska Senate contest is likely to attract significant national attention, money, and outside political involvement over the next nine months.
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