Alaska Senate candidates spar over use of notes in debate

Alaska Senate hopeful Mary Peltola faced criticism Thursday night after she appeared to consult notecards during a debate with incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Sullivan posted on X, "Really, Mary? Reading off a script? You can't cue-card your way through the Senate," after observing Peltola glance at a paper with bullet points.

Republican National Committee official Joanna Rodriguez also commented on X, suggesting Peltola relied on "talking points" prepared by outside handlers. A social-media user added that Peltola could not read her own name without a cue card.

When the issue resurfaced, Sullivan asked the moderators whether the candidates had received the questions in advance, to which they replied in the negative. He then noted he was "just watching my opponent."

Peltola responded that she was "better prepared" and defended her use of notes. The Republican research arm posted a clip of Peltola reading from a card and noted she had not introduced any bill to aid Alaska fishermen during her first term in Congress.

The debate also covered personal allegations, with Sullivan citing a New York Times report that 25 former staffers had quit while working for Peltola. Peltola rejected the claims as fabrications and argued the campaign should not focus on her "worst day."

Moderators warned that continued interruptions could lead to microphones being shut off. Both candidates addressed the proposed liquefied natural gas pipeline, with Sullivan defending the administration's efforts and Peltola supporting the project while cautioning against unsubstantiated expectations.

The race is viewed as a key contest for control of the U.S. Senate, with the Cook Political Report labeling it a toss-up. President Donald Trump carried Alaska in the 2024 election, and the outcome could affect the narrow Senate majority.