Alaska Senate candidates clash over the Iran war, high prices and their times in office
The two major candidates vying for an Alaska Senate seat squared off Thursday night over issues ranging from the war with Iran to controversies during the Democratic nominee’s time in Congress in a debate that at times flared into personal attacks.Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan described Democratic challenger Mary Peltola as someone who sought a lobbying paycheck after her time serving in the House ended in 2025, pointing to recent reporting on the tumult in her congressional office during her tenure.Peltola sought to tie Sullivan’s support for the war in Iran to the increase in the cost of living at home, pointing out Sullivan’s own increase in wealth while in office.The race between Sullivan and Peltola, which NBC News rates as a toss-up, is one of a handful that could determine control of the Senate in November.
Democrats have targeted the seat as one of five potential pickup opportunities, despite the fact that Donald Trump carried Alaska by double digits in 2024.When asked what he thought of the White House’s recent announcement that it would allow the release of Russian diesel fuel onto the global market, Sullivan drew a distinction between himself and the Trump administration, a tack other Republicans in tight races have taken in recent debates.“I just led the effort on a Russia sanctions act that passed the Congress, so I’m opposed to that,” Sullivan said.The senator then pivoted to his opposition to the Pentagon’s now withdrawn announcement that it would livestream the execution of convicted terrorist Nidal Hasan.
“Certainly he needs to be executed, but if you have a livestreaming of this terrorist, you are going to create more terrorists,” Sullivan said.Asked about the war with Iran, both candidates said the conflict should end soon.Peltola attributed the increase in prices at home to the ongoing conflict — issues that polling has shown have become a drag on Republicans heading into Novemberg.“There does not appear to be a peac...