Peltola outraises Sullivan but trails in campaign cash

Former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) has outraised her opponent, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), in the first quarter of fundraising for their high-stakes Senate race. Peltola brought in nearly $8.7 million directly to her campaign account, compared to Sullivan’s $1.7 million. However, Peltola’s spending—nearly $3 million—left her with $5.7 million in cash on hand, while Sullivan maintained a war chest of over $7 million heading into April.

Both candidates claim strong financial positions as the race becomes increasingly expensive by Alaska standards. Peltola holds an early polling advantage, leading Sullivan by 5 percentage points in a mid-March poll conducted by Alaska Survey Research. Despite her fundraising success, questions remain about whether her spending will hinder her long-term campaign strategy.

Outside groups are also pouring money into the race. Democratic-aligned organizations have contributed over $3 million to support Peltola, while the Senate Leadership Fund, a top GOP super PAC, has pledged $15 million to defend Sullivan’s seat and has already invested millions in ad buys. This influx of funds underscores the high stakes of the contest, which could play a crucial role in determining control of the U.S. Senate.