Mary Peltola leads Dan Sullivan in the contest for Alaska's Senate seat
Democrat Mary Peltola narrowly leads Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in Alaska’s Senate race. Decision Desk HQ put Peltola ahead 48.2% to 47.9%, by about 500 votes, with 70% of expected votes counted; the Associated Press, cited by USA Today, reported those percentages with more than 94% of votes in. If neither reaches 50%, Alaska will hold an instant runoff.
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Democrat Mary Peltola holds a narrow advantage over incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in the contest for Alaska’s Senate seat as counting continues. Decision Desk HQ showed Peltola ahead by about 500 votes, with 48.2% to Sullivan’s 47.9% and 70% of the expected vote counted as of nearly 11 a.m. Wednesday. USA Today, citing the Associated Press, separately reported the same vote shares with more than 94% of the vote in as of 10 a.m. ET; it described the contest as too close to call. The Hill said a Peltola victory could give Democrats a possible eighth Senate seat flip. If neither candidate receives more than 50%, Alaska will use ranked-choice voting, counting voters’ later-ranked choices. Most remaining early and mail ballots are expected to be counted Nov. 10, with final votes added Nov. 18, when the state will conduct the ranked-choice count if needed.
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The Hill reports that Peltola took a roughly 500-vote lead, and USA Today also reports her narrow lead, citing the Associated Press. Earlier or differently timed results describing Sullivan ahead do not negate these reports of Peltola leading as counting progressed.