Sullivan and Peltola debate in Alaska Senate race as polls favour Peltola

Mixed · 2Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, debated on Thursday 15 October in the race for Alaska's U.S. Senate seat. 1 2 Centre · 1The debate was scheduled for one hour, from 7 p.m. local time, and was broadcast by Alaska Public Media TV, Alaska's News Source and KTOO 360TV. 1 Centre · 1Ahead of the debate, Newsweek reported that Peltola led in several recent polls by 2 to 7 points: 48.2% to 42.6% in an InsiderAdvantage poll of 1,200 likely voters (9–10 October), 47% to 45% in an Alaska Survey Research poll (1–3 October), and 50% to 43% in a New York Times/Siena poll (24 September–1 October). 1

Centre · 1Sullivan's last poll lead was in a Trafalgar Group poll of 22–24 September (47% to 46%), and prediction markets gave Peltola a 74% chance of winning, up from 64% in mid-September. 1 Mixed · 2Forecasters differ: Sabato's Crystal Ball moved the race to "Leans Democratic" from "Toss-Up", while Fox News said the Cook Political Report rates it a toss-up. 1 2 Centre · 1The race matters nationally: Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, Democrats have not held the seat since early 2015, and President Donald Trump visited Alaska on Tuesday to support Sullivan. 1

Right · 1During the debate, Peltola appeared to look down at a notecard-sized paper with bullet points. Sullivan asked moderators whether the candidates were supposed to have received the questions beforehand; moderators Wil Courtney and Lori Townsend said no, and Peltola replied that she was better "prepared". 2 Right · 1Sullivan posted on X, "You can't cue-card your way through the Senate," and NRSC official Joanna Rodriguez and the Republican Party's research arm also mocked Peltola's use of notes, according to Fox News. 2 Right · 1Sullivan also confronted Peltola over allegations, reported by The New York Times, that she mistreated former staffers, claiming 25 employees had quit. Peltola called them "outright fabrications or mass exaggerations of the truth" and said the election should not be about her "worst day"; moderators warned microphones could be shut off over interruptions. 2

Right · 1On the proposed Alaska liquefied natural gas pipeline, moderators said South Korea had not committed to invest. Sullivan said Seoul had committed funding through a broader trade agreement, with the amount still under negotiation, while Peltola backed the pipeline but warned against "promoting falsehoods that just have no substance." 2 Centre · 1Cost of living, fuel prices and fisheries are among the leading issues in the campaign; Alaska gasoline averaged $4.96 a gallon against a national $4.33. 1