How Alaska became a key battleground in the fight for the Senate

Alaska's Senate contest has emerged as a possible deciding factor in whether Democrats win back the chamber in November, and energy costs tied to the war with Iran are dominating it. Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan was pressed on fuel prices during a debate, while Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, rejected allegations from former staffers that she lashed out at them and used demeaning language, calling some of the claims "outright fabrications.", according to PBS NewsHour.

Lori Townsend, political director of Alaska Public Media, told PBS NewsHour's Geoff Bennett that rural residents are fixated on prices heading into winter. Gasoline runs roughly $7.29 to $7.66 a gallon around Bethel, $9.40 in Napaskiak and $26 in Ambler, and groceries have climbed as well. Fishing crews face tariffs on gear plus fuel bills they describe as two or three times higher, and many want tighter limits on trawl vessels whose incidental salmon catch they blame for smaller returns.

President Trump rallied for Sullivan in Alaska this past week. Townsend noted that Trump carried the state by 13 points in 2024, and said it is uncertain whether the visit will bring out supporters who might otherwise skip the midterms.

Summarized by PolitiKool from PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at PBS NewsHour →