By Suzanne Downing 
The Senate Majority PAC, the powerful Democrat-aligned super PAC, has been pouring money into Alaska’s airwaves for months, attacking Sen. Dan Sullivan even though he faces no serious challenger. The spending spree, recently picked up on the radar by Punchbowl News, appears aimed at softening Sullivan’s image with voters and setting the stage for a possible Democratic pickup attempt in 2026.
Sullivan, a two-term Republican senator, remains broadly popular in Alaska and has not drawn a credible opponent. Nonetheless, Punchbowl describes him as one of the most vulnerable GOP incumbents in the next Senate cycle – one of only two, alongside Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, that Democrats view as viable flip opportunities.
According to a Data for Progress poll, Peltola is close to even with Republican Sullivan. The poll appears to be part of the strategy to push her into running.
Peltola hasn’t declared her intent to run, but the company says she could beat anyone in a statewide race – including for governor.
Peltola, who briefly held Alaska’s at-large US House seat after the death of Rep. Don Young, won three consecutive races under Alaska’s controversial ranked-choice voting system.
“The best recruit for Democrats would be Rep. Mary Peltola, who has won three straight races in Alaska,” Punchbowl News wrote. “If Peltola runs, Democrats would have a real shot at picking up Sullivan’s seat.”
Punchbowl reports that she is “inching closer to a yes.” Her entry would give Democrats their strongest chance yet to test Alaska’s bizarre election system against an incumbent Republican.
The same report also stirred speculation about Sen. Lisa Murkowski, suggesting she is exploring a run for governor. Murkowski, who has at times clashed with the Alaska Republican Party and flirted with running as an independent, would enter a crowded field of at least a dozen Republicans already seeking the office. If she does run, it could be as an undeclared candidate, given her strained relationship with the conservative base in Alaska.
While Democrats view Alaska as a rare offensive opportunity, the odds remain steep. Sullivan won re-election in 2020 by 10 points against a well-funded campaign, and his campaign has a strong archest. For now, the heavy spending by Senate Majority PAC to “soften the target” suggests Democrats are investing early in shaping the narrative — even if the challenger has yet to appear.
She has the substance of yesterday’s lime jello. Sen. Sullivan is a US Marine. Who do you want in your foxhole looking out for Alaska?
I would like to hear Senator Sullivan talk a lot more about the activities of the International Republican Institute, of which he is the chairman. This outfit has been the recipient of hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars through USAID and spent it all over the world on very questionable political causes and, probably, regime-change operations that provide ZERO benefit to Alaska. And perhaps the Senator could start by talking about how much of this money has been spent WITHIN the United States in support of extra-sleazy NGOs with inflated overhead costs. The Senator should clarify the record now, before some dark-money PAC runs attack ads against him on the topic. The basic question should be: Is Senator Sullivan one of the good guys or one of the bad guys? Now is the time for truth.
The Punchbowl has a floating turd in it
Go ahead Peltola run against Sullivan
As long as his team don’t get cocky and lazy during campaign knowing they can easily win against her, they’ll easily win another term for Sullivan if the re election campaign works like they are neck n neck