Peltola's Lead Increases in Uncalled Alaska Senate Race - USA Today

Peltola’s Lead Increases in Uncalled Alaska Senate Race – USA Today

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Democrat Mary Peltola took a four-percentage-point lead over Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan in uncalled Alaska Senate estimates released on unofficial results from the Alaska Division of Elections.

The latest numbers put Peltola just above the crucial 50% threshold at 50.1%, giving her more than 11,000 votes ahead of Sullivan. The contest remains uncalled as the state processes its remaining ballots.

Under Alaska’s rank choice voting system, if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes in the first round, the state proceeds with a rank choice reallocation. Voters who chose the eliminated candidate have their votes reallocated to their second choice.

“There is no mathematical path for Sullivan to win this race,” Peltola’s campaign wrote in a social media post late on Nov. 13.

“When the remaining votes are counted, Mary will decisively be elected as Alaska’s next United States Senator,” her campaign added.

Meanwhile, the Alaska governor race was called on Nov. 14, with Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins winning the seat. He takes over a position previously held by an unpopular Republican governor who was termed out from running again.

The Senate contest stands as the last high-profile Congressional race awaiting a call. Its final outcome determines whether Democrats hold a 56-seat majority in the Senate or if the party split rests at 55-45.

On Nov. 11, another key Senate race was called when Mississippi Democrat Scott Colom ousted Republican Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith. Democrats have flipped eight seats so far—including Maine, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, and Texas—with Alaska potentially providing a ninth win to cap off a historic blue wave in the midterms.

More on this story: Peltola Extends Lead Over Sullivan in Alaska's U.S. Senate Race as Ballot-Counting Continues · Peltola Leads Both Sullivans Combined in Alaska Senate Race

More on Alaska Senate Race: Alaska Senate Race Remains Unclear as Ballots Continue to Count · Trump Demands Vote Reallocation in Alaska Senate Race to Favor Sullivan · Larry Persily Argues Trump Is Wrong About Alaska Senate Race Results

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