Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, and former Rep. Mary Peltola traded blows Thursday night in the final debate of a Senate race that has surprised some political observers with how close it has become.
The latest rate Alaskas Senate race as a “toss-up,” meaning neither party has an edge. Alaska has historically favored the GOP, though the partys margin of victory has narrowed in recent cycles.
Sullivan and Peltola clashed over energy costs, the Iran war, Social Security reform, health care policy, military spending, allegations of misconduct and fish, among other topics, but a handful of exchanges stood out from the rest.
GOP SENATOR, EX-HOUSE DEM EMERGE FROM ALASKAS JUNGLE PRIMARY DESPITE FAR-LEFT MEDDLING
Throughout the debate, Peltola attacked Sullivan for being a D.C. insider and using his position to enrich himself and his allies. Sullivan attempted to rebut her claims by pointing to Peltolas extensive lobbying career after her time in office, accusing her of cashing in by selling influence.
“My opponent keeps talking about corporate greed again; she defines the rigged system in DC,” Sullivan said. “There’s nothing more rigged than a member of Congress getting fired and then immediately walking through the revolving door to cash in. She made almost half a million last year as a DC lobbyist selling her knowledge of DC. She did it when she left the state legislature; she set up a lobbying firm.”
“You’re walking through the revolving door so much, you must be getting dizzy up here,” he quipped.
Peltola responded by saying that her lobbying work was done to benefit Alaskans and highlighting how Sullivan has gotten wealthier since coming to Washington.
“Dan’s been in DC for 12 years and gotten richer every single one of those years. That’s the corruption that Alaskans are really sick of, and that’s the corruption that I’ll fight against. Dan went to DC with $3 million. He now has $8 million,” she said. “Dan’s doing just fine watching out for himself.”
After Peltola responded to a question about how she would work to improve affordability for Alaskans if elected to the Senate while appearing to read from a piece of paper, Sullivan questioned whether she had received a copy of the debate questions in advance.
“Here’s a moderator question, we weren’t supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?” Sullivan asked.
“No sir,” one moderator responded.
“Neither one of you got questions beforehand,” the other moderator said. “Absolutely not.”
“I’m just watching my opponent read questions that seem to be answered,” the senator said.
After Sullivan brought up a New York Times report airing complaints from anonymous staffers alleging that Peltola physically and verbally mistreated her employees, the Democrat lashed out at the incumbent senator, prompting moderators to interject.
“Look, my opponent has been telling lies throughout this entire campaign, and it’s revealed character challenges. But it’s not just the lies. Take a look at how she treats Alaskans when the cameras are off,” Sullivan said. “Look at that New York Times story. She treats young Alaskans horribly. 25 staffers quit on Mary Pelton because she abused them physically and emotionally, and then she slanders e
