Redistricting and duplicate candidates shape Florida and Alaska primaries
Republican-led redistricting in Florida creates new congressional matchups, while Alaska's Senate primary features incumbent Dan Sullivan against a namesake challenger and former Rep. Mary Peltola.
Tuesday's primaries in Florida and Alaska highlight the impact of recent Republican-led redistricting and unusual ballot listings. In Florida, the redrawn map forced longtime Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz to seek election in the newly created 20th district, which covers Broward County and has a majority Black electorate. Activists have questioned her candidacy in a historically Black district, noting concerns about Black representation after a Supreme Court ruling that weakened a key civil-rights provision. She will compete against several Black candidates, including former Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned in April after being charged with misappropriating disaster-relief funds, and rapper Luther "Uncle Luke" Campbell.
In Alaska, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan, a close ally of President Donald Trump, is running for a third term opposite Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher who denies allegations that his candidacy is a Democratic ploy to confuse voters. Former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress, is also on the ballot and would become the first Alaska Native senator if elected in November.
"There is a lot of curiosity about me from more traditional, pre-Trump-era Republicans that feel homeless," Senate candidate Alex Vindman said in March, referring to his broader campaign strategy in the state.
The primaries are viewed as an early test of the political environment ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, where control of Congress remains narrowly in Republican favor.