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Former Alaska congresswoman Mary Peltola has paused several campaign events after she and her family suffered minor injuries in a three-vehicle car crash in Anchorage on Saturday evening. Her campaign confirmed the incident on Sunday and said upcoming appearances in Fairbanks and Bethel would be rescheduled later in the week.
Campaign manager Cheryl Bruce said Peltola and her family were in good spirits despite the accident. “Mary is disappointed that the accident is delaying the start of her Alaska Always Tour, and she is eager to get back on the campaign trail to speak directly with Alaskans about her plan to take on the rigged system and lower costs for working families,” Bruce said in a statement.
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Crash Occurred During Campaign Travel
The crash happened while Peltola was traveling to the Alaska Federation of Natives’ annual banquet. A vehicle carrying her and her family was struck by another driver, according to the campaign. A campaign spokesperson said there was no reason to believe the crash was politically motivated.
The Anchorage Police Department confirmed on Sunday that the collision involved three vehicles and that all injuries were non-life-threatening. Police added that the incident remains under investigation.
Competitive Senate Race Against Dan Sullivan
Peltola, a Democrat, is running against Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan in what has become a tighter-than-expected Senate race. Sullivan is seeking a third term. Peltola won Alaska’s House seat in 2022 but narrowly lost her re-election bid in 2024, the same year President Donald Trump carried the state by 13 percentage points.
Despite Trump’s strong showing in Alaska, Sullivan’s re-election campaign faces unexpected pressure. Many Alaska voters connect Trump’s policies to rising gas and grocery prices, partly linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran. Earlier this month, both Trump and Vice President JD Vance held separate campaign rallies in the state to boost Republican support.
Ballot Confusion and Legal Battles
The Senate race has also drawn controversy over a second candidate named Dan Sullivan who entered the race. Republicans accuse Democrats of recruiting him to confuse voters. Democrats have not claimed responsibility for his entry into the contest.
On the ballot, the second candidate will appear as Dan J. Sullivan. The incumbent senator will be identified by his full name, his political party, and a clear notation marking him as the incumbent.
Last week, the Justice Department sued Alaska election officials. The lawsuit seeks to block certification of the election results if Senator Dan Sullivan loses, citing the presence of Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot as a source of voter confusion. In response, Democrats filed a motion on Saturday urging a federal judge to dismiss the case.
