Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and members of her family sustained minor injuries in a three-vehicle collision in Anchorage, forcing the former congresswoman to reschedule campaign appearances ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola and members of her family were injured in a car crash Saturday evening, Oct. 24, in Anchorage, Alaska, prompting the U.S. Senate candidate to postpone campaign events during the final days of her race against Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Peltola and her family were traveling to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet when another vehicle struck their car, according to a statement released Sunday by her campaign manager, Cheryl Bruce. The injuries were described as minor but required medical attention.
The Anchorage Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a three-vehicle collision at approximately 6:55 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of O’Malley Road and Lake Otis Parkway.
Preliminary findings indicate that a westbound vehicle struck the rear of a second vehicle stopped at a traffic signal, pushing it into a third vehicle also waiting at the intersection.
Peltola was an occupant of the second vehicle. Police said its occupants were transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the first vehicle, who was traveling alone, was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The occupant of the third vehicle declined medical transportation.
Police said the circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation. Authorities have not announced any charges or identified the cause of the crash.
According to CBS News, Bruce confirmed Sunday that Peltola and her family were recovering.
“Mary and her family sustained minor injuries but are in good spirits,” Bruce said.
“Unfortunately, per the advice of medical professionals, Mary’s upcoming events in Fairbanks and Bethel will be rescheduled for later in the week as she takes time to recover.”
The accident disrupted the beginning of Peltola’s planned “Alaska Always Tour,” an eight-stop campaign effort intended to reach voters during the final stretch before Election Day.
The candidate had been scheduled to appear in Fairbanks on Sunday and Bethel on Monday. Both appearances will be rescheduled.
Her campaign said she expects to resume public events Tuesday, Oct. 27, in Homer, with additional planned appearances in Kenai, Seward, Juneau, Anchorage and Palmer.
“Mary is disappointed that the accident is delaying the start of her Alaska Always Tour, and she is eager to get back on the campaign trail to speak directly with Alaskans about her plan to take on the rigged system and lower costs for working families,” Bruce said.
Local news outlet Alaska’s News Source reported that the campaign had announced the statewide tour shortly before the collision.
The campaign’s schedule called for visits to communities across Alaska, culminating in an Oct. 31 appearance in Palmer.
Peltola, 53, is seeking to unseat Sullivan, who is running for a third term in the U.S. Senate.
The former congresswoman became the first Alaska Native woman elected to Congress in 2022, winning a special election following the death of longtime Republican Rep. Don Young.
She subsequently won a full House term but lost her reelection bid in 2024 to Republican Nick Begich.
Peltola entered the 2026 Senate race seeking to become the first Democrat elected to represent Alaska in the Senate since 2008.
According to The Associated Press, Peltola finished first in Alaska’s August top-four primary, advancing to the November general election alongside Sullivan and two other candidates.
Alaska uses ranked-choice voting in general elections, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
The contest has attracted national attention because of its implications for control of the Senate and concerns surrounding the state’s election procedures.
President Donald Trump has campaigned for Sullivan and recently called for federal legal action involving another candidate whose name closely resembles that of the incumbent.
A separate candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., qualified for the general election ballot, prompting Republican concerns about potential voter confusion.
Trump said Friday that he had instructed his administration to pursue legal action to prevent certification of the election under certain circumstances if the incumbent loses.
The Justice Department subsequently challenged aspects of the election process, while Alaska officials maintained that state election procedures complied with applicable law.
The Washington Post reported Sunday that Peltola’s campaign remains focused on completing its statewide outreach effort despite the accident.
Both major candidates have sought support among Alaska Native voters, an important constituency in a state where many communities are geographically isolated and campaign travel can require extensive planning.
The Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet, which Peltola had been traveling to attend, is associated with one of the state’s most prominent Alaska Native organizations.
The collision occurred just nine days before the Nov. 3 election, temporarily interrupting Peltola’s campaign schedule during a period when candidates are concentrating on voter outreach and turnout.
No serious injuries have been reported, and the campaign has not indicated that Peltola intends to withdraw from any remaining scheduled events beyond those postponed on medical advice.
Anchorage police continue investigating the collision under case number 26-27979.
Peltola’s campaign said updated dates for the Fairbanks and Bethel appearances will be announced as she recovers and prepares to return to the campaign trail.
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