The Alaska Senate race: 3 Republicans, 2 Dans Sullivan, 1 Democrat

Former Rep. Mary Peltola will be the only Democrat on the ballot after Democrat David Leslie, who finished fourth in the primary, withdrew.

The Alaska Division of Elections on Tuesday named the four Senate candidates who will be on the ballot this fall in a closely watched race that will be decided by ranked-choice voting.

Voters will make their selections among two Republicans named Dan Sullivan, another named Gerald Heikes and Democrat Mary Peltola, who finished first during the all-party primary in which the top four advance to the general election.

Democrat David Leslie had finished fourth, but he withdrew from the race Monday. His withdrawal means fifth-place candidate Gerald Heikes, a Republican, will appear on the ballot.

Dan J. Sullivan and Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, R-Alaska.AP; Getty ImagesThe race is considered one of the most competitive in the 2026 cycle and a potential pickup for Democrats, who are hoping to gain control of the Senate. It’s made headlines due to the novelty of having two candidates with the same first and last name.

Dan J. Sullivan, a former schoolteacher who came in third in the primary, is seeking to unseat Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. But his candidacy has faced legal challenges from the senator and other Republicans who allege he is working with Peltola, a former congresswoman, and entered the race as a potential spoiler. He and Peltola have denied any coordination with each other, as have their campaigns.