Alaska Senate Race 2026: Peltola vs Sullivan Results
The Alaska Senate race is one of the most closely watched contests of the 2026 midterms and Election Night did not settle it. Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan traded the lead as results came in and thousands of ballots were still uncounted. This guide explains where the race stands, how Alaska’s ranked choice system could decide it and when to expect an answer.
Quick Answer
As of November 4, 2026, the Alaska Senate race between Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is too close to call. The Associated Press had not declared a winner and counting continues. If nobody tops 50% of first-choice votes, ranked choice tabulation is scheduled for November 18, with certification targeted for November 25.
Who Is Running in the Alaska Senate Race?
Alaska’s top-four primary on August 18 sent four candidates to the general election:
- Sen. Dan Sullivan (Republican, incumbent). A former state attorney general and natural resources commissioner, he first won the seat in 2014 and is seeking a third term.
- Mary Peltola (Democrat). The former U.S. representative won Alaska’s House seat in 2022 and lost it to Republican Nick Begich in 2024. If elected, she would be the first Alaska Native in the Senate and the first Democrat to win a Senate race in Alaska since Mark Begich in 2008.
- Dan J. Sullivan. A retired teacher from Petersburg who shares the incumbent’s name. His presence drew attention because of how ranked choice counting works.
- Gerald Heikes. A Republican candidate who has run for office in Alaska before.
Where the Count Stands
Early returns skewed toward Peltola, then Sullivan took the lead later in the night. At one point Peltola’s lead shrank to about 200 votes. Reports on Election Night put the two candidates within roughly one percentage point of each other, with Dan J. Sullivan around 1.7% in one report.
These are preliminary numbers that changed through the night, so treat any single snapshot with care. Many of the uncounted ballots were absentee and early votes, along with some rural precincts expected to favor Peltola. Early in-person and mail ballots leaned toward Peltola in one report, while Election Day votes leaned toward Sullivan. For current totals, check the Alaska Division of Elections or the Associated Press.
How Ranked Choice Voting Could Decide the Winner
Alaska voters rank candidates in order of preference. They don’t have to rank everyone or more than one.
- If a candidate wins more than 50% of first-choice votes, that candidate wins outright.
- If not, the last-place candidate is eliminated.
- Voters who picked that candidate first have their ballots counted for their next choice.
- This repeats until one candidate has a majority.
Both leading candidates were below 50% in preliminary reports, so a tabulation round looks likely. That makes the second choices of voters who backed Dan J. Sullivan and Gerald Heikes important. Their ballots only transfer if they ranked another candidate.
What the Polls Showed Before Election Day
Pre-election polling pointed to a tight race. A July New York Times/Siena poll had Sullivan ahead 47% to 45%. An AARP poll in September had Peltola ahead by 5 points. A Data for Progress poll in October, from a Democratic-affiliated pollster, had Peltola ahead 51% to 49%. A Cook Political Report rating of “toss-up” was also reported. Polls are estimates, not results and counting is what decides the race.
Key Dates to Watch
- November 5: Review of questioned ballots begins.
- November 18: Ranked choice tabulation, if no one has a majority.
- November 25: Target date for certification.
- January 3, 2027: Scheduled swearing-in for Alaska’s U.S. senator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
The Alaska Senate race between Mary Peltola and Sen. Dan Sullivan is unresolved. Votes are still being counted and ranked choice rounds on November 18 may decide the outcome. To follow it, watch the Alaska Division of Elections and the AP for updates and come back to this page, which will be updated when the result is called.
