Peltola Raises $33 Million Ahead of Sullivan as Crash Delays Tour

Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola has collected $33 million in campaign funds through October, nearly double the $14 million reported by incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. This financial gap exists despite Sullivan holding a larger cash-on-hand advantage of $5.1 million compared to Peltola's $3.2 million.

Peltola and her family were involved in a two-vehicle collision in Anchorage on Saturday night. The crash occurred near the Alaska Federation of Natives convention, where the family was traveling to attend the annual banquet. Another vehicle struck the car transporting the family.

Campaign manager Cheryl Bruce stated that Peltola and her family sustained minor injuries and remain in good spirits. Following medical advice, the campaign rescheduled planned events in Fairbanks and Bethel for later in the week. This adjustment pauses the start of the Alaska Always Tour.

The race features a complex ballot structure under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system. Four candidates appear on the ballot, including two men named Dan Sullivan. Republicans identify Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. as a decoy candidate intended to confuse voters. They argue this strategy could split the Republican vote.

President Donald Trump told his administration to file a lawsuit to block the certification of the race if the incumbent loses. He wrote on Truth Social early Sunday that the ballot is a Democratic effort to steal the election. Trump called for voters to support Ballot Measure 2, which would vote against ranked-choice voting.

Peltola, an Alaska Native and former congresswoman, seeks to become the first Democrat to represent the state in the Senate in nearly two decades. Both major candidates are targeting Alaska Native voters, a key demographic in this contest. Republicans have outspent Democrats by a margin of $42 million to $38 million in total race spending.