Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Dan Sullivan lead in Alaska primary for US Senate – US politics live

# Why This Race Matters Alaska's Senate contest represents one of the few genuine toss-ups that will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the chamber next year, making it a direct arbiter of legislative power on issues from healthcare to energy policy. A Peltola victory would bolster Democratic chances of maintaining their slim majority and blocking Republican priorities, while a Sullivan win would move Republicans closer to flipping the chamber and advancing their agenda on tax cuts, border security, and fossil fuel development. The outcome also carries symbolic weight for Democrats seeking to prove they remain competitive in conservative-leaning states beyond coastal strongholds, and for Republicans testing whether their base will turn out for establishment candidates like Sullivan after Trump's influence in other races. With control of the Senate effectively hinging on a handful of races like this one, the Alaska primary results will reshape calculations about which party has the momentum heading into the general election.