One of Democrats’ best pick-up opportunities in the Senate next year might be in deep red Alaska, where former Rep. Mary Peltola is trying to unseat two-term Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Democrats are targeting Sullivan over his support for President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his war in Iran, hoping to put the state in play amid a challenging political environment for Republicans nationwide. Rising prices, particularly of health care, utilities and gas, are fueling voter frustration and significantly threatening GOP congressional majorities in November.
“The vibe around the country is real apprehension around the economy,” said Sen. Peter Welch. “That’s a dynamic that’s very powerful, and then [Peltola] is a very well-known and well-regarded statewide figure. So she starts out with her own identity, but I think that the headwinds are in the Republicans’ direction.”