Mary Peltola injured in car crash, postponing Alaska Senate campaign stops

Alaska Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola was injured in a car crash Saturday night, leading the challenger to postpone her campaign stops just nine days before voters head to the polls in the Last Frontier.Peltola was headed to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet when the car transporting her and her family was struck by another driver, according to her campaign.“Mary and her family sustained minor injuries but are in good spirits,” campaign manager Cheryl Bruce said in a statement. “Unfortunately, per the advice of medical professionals, Mary’s upcoming events in Fairbanks and Bethel will be rescheduled for later in the week as she takes time to recover.” “Mary is disappointed that the accident is delaying the start of her Alaska Always Tour, and she is eager to get back on the campaign trail and speak directly with Alaskans about her plan to take on the rigged system and lower costs for working families,” the statement continues.The tour was slated to make stops in Alaska’s eight major villages and cities leading up to the general election on Nov. 3. The towns included Homer, Kenai, Seward, Juneau, Anchorage, and Palmer. The final stop was set for Oct. 31, but the delay may push the tour right up to Election Day.The incident comes at a pivotal time in the Alaska Senate race as the margins between Peltola and incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) tighten. According to a RealClearPolitics average of polls conducted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 16, Peltola holds a less than 2-point lead over Sullivan.Democrats see the Alaska Senate seat as a prime pickup opportunity in the midterm elections as Republicans seek to fend off Sullivan’s challengers and maintain a majority in the upper chamber.2026 MIDTERM ELECTIONS LIVE UPDATES: LATEST NEWS, RESULTS AND ANALYSISAdding another layer to the already contested race is the Department of Justice filing a lawsuit preemptively challenging the certification of the Senate election results. The Trump administration has argued a second challenger named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. was placed on the ballot in order to cause voter confusion and siphon votes away from the incumbent.On the ranked choice ballot, the incumbent Sullivan is listed fourth as the incumbent and a registered Republican, while the other Sullivan is not affiliated with either party and is listed third.