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Dan Sullivan And Mary Peltola Clash Over Iran War And Consumer Prices In Alaska Senate Debate
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Sullivan and Peltola debated Iran conflict and rising fuel prices in Alaska. They argued about Alaska's energy future and affordability.
Debate in Anchorage
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola faced off in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race during a “Debate for the State” broadcast from Alaska Public Media’s Anchorage studio Thursday night.
AP said the candidates clashed over the Iran war and soaring consumer prices, with Sullivan saying the war “needs to end soon” and Peltola saying the agreement is “so far out of sight” and lamenting the deaths of 20 military personnel.
Alaska’s News Source said the debate came as President Donald Trump rallied supporters at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Center in Wasilla, urging them to send Sullivan back to Washington with a wide enough margin to withstand a possible ranked-choice runoff tabulation.
Alaska Public Media Chief Editor Lori Townsend moderated the debate, and Alaska’s News Source political reporter Wil Courtney questioned candidates on stage alongside Alaska Public Media’s Liz Ruskin.
AP said the contest will play into control of the closely divided chamber, and it noted Alaska last elected a Democrat to the Senate in 2008.
Personal attacks and credibility
Peltola and Sullivan traded accusations of dishonesty during the debate, with Peltola saying, “I think that Alaskans have had it up to here with the lying and the dishonesty,” and Sullivan repeatedly accusing Peltola of lying. CNN said Sullivan questioned Peltola’s “character” while citing allegations she mistreated staff, and it described the exchange as part of a deeply personal tone.
Alaska Public Media said Sullivan repeatedly alluded to a New York Times piece featuring former Peltola staffers alleging she subjected them to angry outbursts and derogatory terms for gay people and people with disabilities. Peltola told Alaska Public Media, “I do not think that this election is about me on my worst day,” and she said she found the allegations “concerning and outright fabrications or mass exaggerations of the truth.”
Iran, energy, and stakes
AP said the debate followed contours of Senate contests around the country, with Peltola blaming the Trump administration for rising gas and consumer prices and Sullivan warning that Democratic leadership would undercut the military and curb domestic energy production. Sullivan argued that the best way to bring down energy costs “is to produce more Alaskan energy by and for Alaskans,” while Peltola said, “This war is driving up our energy bills and hurting Alaskans with no end in sight.” CNN said Sullivan had to grapple with issues where Trump has not made the race easy for him, and it quoted Sullivan saying, “the best way to bring down costs with regard to energy in Alaska is to produce more energy by and for Alaskans,” while Peltola blamed “waging forever wars that are skyrocketing our costs.”
Newsweek said Peltola accused Sullivan of voting 14 times in favor of the conflict, and it said Sullivan countered by arguing that increased energy production in Alaska could help bring down prices. Fox News said its latest ranking rates Alaska’s Senate race as a “dead heat,” and it described both candidates arguing over energy costs, the Iran war, and allegations of misconduct.