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by RAY LEWIS | The National News Desk
HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) — Senator Dan Sullivan, the Alaska Republican, will face retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan in the general election, hurting his chances to keep his seat out of the hands of former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola.
The Associated Press has confirmed that the ex-educator, a registered Republican with some Democratic positions, has won enough votes to appear on the state’s November ballot, which will include the primary election’s top four candidates. Dan J. Sullivan has so far won more than 3,600 votes, 40 percent fewer than the incumbent’s total and far behind Peltola’s tally, the highest of the candidates. The final ballot spot remains unfilled.
Senator Sullivan, once considered a lock for a Republican Party desperate to keep its Senate majority intact, now faces the possibility his seat will fall into Democratic hands. Peltola, who held her at-large House seat for two and a half years, has run a strong campaign for change as the GOP’s grip on Washington grows unpopular.
She’s shied away from her Democratic label, which is still disliked in the red state, instead focusing her campaign on issues important to Alaskan voters.
“Mary has traveled across the state and heard from countless Alaskans who are sick and tired of Lower 48 partisan politics,” campaign manager Cheryl Bruce said in a statement last week. “That’s why she’s running for U.S. Senate, to fix the rigged system in DC that is making life harder and more expensive across the state. From securing our border, to fighting for energy jobs, to protecting Alaskans’ right to bear arms, Mary is willing to stand up to anyone – from any party – to do what’s right for Alaska.”
A win by Peltola could smooth the rocky terrain Democrats need to overcome to retake the Senate majority. The party must keep all its seats and flip four to take hold of the chamber, though strong performances by several other Democrats across the country are increasing the likelihood of a blue wave.
Texas state Representative James Talarico, the Democratic nominee to replace outgoing Senator John Cornyn, for example, is successfully exploiting his Republican opponent’s baggage to pull within reach of an upset win. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been charged with fraud, impeached by Republicans and accused of infidelity since becoming the state’s highest legal official, giving Democrats a boost in their uphill climb.
“Republicans still retain a structural advantage given the partisan challenges of the map, and Democrats still need almost every key race to break their way,” Cook Political Report analyst Jessica Taylor said last week. “But as we recently wrote, in a wave election akin to 2006, even states that President Donald Trump won by double digits could move within Democrats’ reach.”
Do you have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
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