What to watch in the Alaska and Wyoming primary elections | US Midterm Elections 2026 News
Primary Races in Alaska and Wyoming: Key Insights Ahead of November’s Midterms
Nationwide primary races are providing preliminary insights into voters’ preferences as they approach the significant midterm elections in November. On Tuesday, voters in Alaska and Wyoming, traditionally Republican strongholds, will cast their ballots in elections that may impact the broader political landscape.
Alaska has emerged as a notable battleground in recent election cycles, marking the third consecutive time it plays a critical role in the control of Congress. Meanwhile, Wyoming is witnessing a significant shift in its Republican leadership, with a wide array of candidates vying for office, signaling potential changes in the state’s ultraconservative political dynamics.
Alaska: Polling Details and Unique Primary Structure
Polls in Alaska open at 7 a.m. local time and close at 8 p.m., though closures vary due to the state’s two time zones. Alaska features a unique primary system, having adopted a single nonpartisan primary ballot following the approval of Ballot Measure 2 in 2020. As a result, all candidates from various parties appear on the same ballot, with the top four vote-getters advancing to the general election.
Key races in Alaska include the highly consequential U.S. Senate seat and a competitive governor’s race. Seventeen candidates are contending to replace Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy, who is term-limited. Notable candidates include former Governor Bill Walker, running as an independent, and several Republicans, such as former state Senators Click Bishop and Shelley Hughes.
In the Senate race, incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan faces off against former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola. According to the Cook Political Report, this contest ranks among the most competitive Senate races in the nation.
National Significance of the Senate Race
Historically, Alaska has not sent a Democrat to the Senate since 2008. However, Peltola’s prior success in the House indicates the viability of Democratic candidates in the state. The race has attracted significant campaign spending, with over $2 million directed toward boosting lesser-known candidates who could influence the outcome. An Alaska Survey Research poll from March indicated Peltola leading Sullivan among primary voters, 46.4% to 40.9%.
An unusual aspect of this primary is the presence of two candidates named Dan Sullivan. Incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan will appear as “Dan S. Sullivan,” while retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. will be listed without a party affiliation. This may lead to voter confusion, as the primary does not use ranked-choice voting.
Wyoming: Polling Information and Major Races
In Wyoming, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. The state is experiencing a political overhaul with incumbent Senator Cynthia Lummis not seeking re-election, creating an open-seat contest that is highly competitive. Representative Harriet Hageman is a prominent candidate in the Senate race, having garnered significant support after defeating Liz Cheney in the 2022 primary.
Wyoming’s Republican Party is divided, with a faction supporting hard-right candidates and another aligned with more traditional conservatives. Hageman is widely seen as the frontrunner to succeed Lummis, while other candidates include former Kirby Mayor Sam Mead and entrepreneur Jimmy Skovgard.
In the House race to replace Hageman, nine Republican candidates are competing, making it the most expensive contest on the ballot. This field includes former state Superintendent Jillian Balow and Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray.
As voters in both states head to the polls, the outcomes could have reverberating effects well beyond their borders, shaping the narratives leading into November’s crucial midterm elections.
