Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) launched a website on Thursday to rebut what he describes as misleading claims by his opponent, former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK), in their contested Senate race. The site, PeltolaLies.com, lists 10 specific claims Peltola has made about Sullivan, accompanied by rebuttals and links to fact-checking sources.
Sullivan framed the website as a response to what he called Peltola’s reliance on slander amid a broader policy debate. “Elections should be about your record, your vision, and, of course, the truth,” Sullivan stated. “When you don’t have a record or a vision, they resort to slander.” The site includes links to third-party fact-checking organizations to support his rebuttals.
Peltola, who served two terms in the U.S. House before launching her Senate bid, has positioned herself as a champion of Alaska’s oil and gas industry despite her past legislative record. Earlier this month, she unveiled a plan titled “Making Energy Affordable for Alaskans”, which emphasizes expanded oil and gas production in the state. “Alaska has always been a leader in energy production,” Peltola said in a statement, “and as an independent voice for Alaskans, I will always stand up to anyone to invest in Alaska energy production.”
However, Peltola’s 2023 legislative efforts contradict her current stance. While in the House, she co-sponsored the Alaska’s Right to Produce Act, which aimed to reverse Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas leases in Alaska. The bill sought to reinstate canceled drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and overturn lease restrictions in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). Peltola urged her colleagues to support the legislation, though it ultimately did not advance.
The Senate race has drawn national attention, with Alaska identified as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats aiming to flip control of the chamber. Sullivan, seeking re-election, has framed Peltola’s campaign as part of a broader liberal agenda he argues would “target Alaska” rather than support its economic interests. Peltola, in turn, has criticized Sullivan’s record and policy positions, accusing him of obstructing progress on energy affordability and economic growth for Alaskans.
The competing narratives reflect deeper divisions over Alaska’s energy future, with both candidates staking claims on economic priorities and environmental policy. The race remains highly competitive, with both sides emphasizing distinct visions for the state’s role in national energy production and economic development.