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NewsWPLG Local 10October 25, 2026Miami-Dade County

Candidates Sullivan and Peltola court Alaska Native voters ahead of U.S. Senate election

Photo: WPLG Local 10

The leading candidates in Alaska's U.S. Senate race, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola, campaigned for support from Alaska Native voters at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference. Both candidates highlighted endorsements from Native organizations as about one-fifth of the state's population prepares to vote in the Nov. 3 election. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump stated he directed an administration lawsuit to block certification if the incumbent loses, citing potential ballot confusion with another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.

ElectionsIndigenous AffairsEnergyCampaigns
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Why It Matters

Control of the U.S. Senate is at stake in the closely watched Alaska race, where Native voters represent approximately one-fifth of the state's population and face distinct logistical challenges in remote communities.

Key Facts

  • Alaska Native voters comprise approximately one-fifth of the state's population.
  • Both Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola spoke at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage.
  • Sealaska Corp. endorsed both Sullivan and Peltola ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
  • President Donald Trump announced he instructed his administration to sue to block election certification if the incumbent loses, citing potential voter confusion over another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.
  • U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated the lawsuit is necessary to determine if Alaskan voters were confused or misled by ballot names.
  • Voters in remote Alaska Native communities face barriers such as late-opening polling locations and mail delays.
  • Senator Sullivan highlighted his work securing land allotments for Alaska Native Vietnam War-era veterans.
  • Mary Peltola emphasized the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people, the need for law enforcement resources, and support for fisheries.
  • Energy costs, diesel reliance for heating and electricity, and oil drilling on the North Slope are major campaign issues among Native communities.

Who's Mentioned

PersonBohrer“Reporter reporting from Juneau, Alaska”PersonDaniel J. Sullivan Jr.“Another candidate listed on the ranked choice ballot without a party designation”PersonDallas Goldtooth“Actor and activist encouraging conference attendees to vote”PersonMary Peltola“Democratic candidate and former Representative”PersonSheri Buretta“Chugach Alaska Corp. board chair who introduced Senator Sullivan”OrganizationAlaska Federation of Natives“Hosting organization for the annual conference in Anchorage”OrganizationSealaska Corp.“Regional Native corporation that endorsed both leading candidates”PersonJoe Biden“Former President whose administration sought to restrict oil drilling”PersonTodd Blanche“U.S. Attorney General who commented on the planned election lawsuit”PersonDonald Trump“President who held a rally for Sullivan and announced a planned lawsuit regardin”PersonDan Sullivan“Republican U.S. Senator running for reelection”OrganizationChugach Alaska Corp.“Alaska Native corporation”