Democratic Senate nominee Mary Peltola was hurt in a car crash on Saturday night, forcing her to skip key campaign stops. The accident happened in Anchorage while she and her family were heading to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet.
Campaign manager Cheryl Bruce confirmed the details in a statement released Sunday. The crash involved another vehicle striking Peltola’s car, according to Fox News.
The timing is the real story here. This accident strikes just nine days away from the crucial midterm election, per RedState. Peltola had to cancel scheduled events in Fairbanks and Bethel to recover. Her team plans to reschedule these appearances for later in the week.
Peltola Campaign Statement on Upcoming Campaign Stops in Fairbanks and Bethel for the Alaska Always Tour: https://t.co/ZhIzk3Oipk
— Mary Peltola (@MaryPeltola) October 25, 2026
This pause hits right when every vote counts. Peltola was about to launch her eight-day “Alaska Always Tour” to mobilize voters. She currently holds a slim lead over incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan. The latest polls show a 1.2 percentage point edge for Peltola, according to New York Post. Losing momentum this close to November is a dangerous gamble for her campaign.
While Peltola heals, the race faces another major controversy. A candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. is on the ballot alongside the incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan. Critics call him “Decoy Dan” because the names are nearly identical.
NEW: The Trump administration sued Alaska to prevent certification of its U.S. Senate election if incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan loses and votes for another candidate named Daniel Sullivan could have changed the outcome, alleging voter confusion under federal law. https://t.co/Y8zV0Pt5qH
— SCOTUS Wire (@scotus_wire) October 23, 2026
Trump argues this setup is designed to steal votes from the real Senator Sullivan. The Justice Department even sued to block the race certification if the incumbent loses due to this confusion. This legal battle adds chaos to a race that is already one of the most watched in the nation.
Peltola’s injury removes a key voice from the debate over this system. She had planned to speak directly with Alaskans about lowering costs and fixing the rigged system. Now, her team must navigate the final stretch without her physical presence. The campaign says events in Homer, Kenai, and Juneau will still happen as planned, but the Fairbanks and Bethel stops are gone. The updated schedule will be released soon.
For families in Alaska, the stakes are incredibly high. This is a fight for control of the Senate, and every day counts.
