On Saturday in Kodiak, Alaska, Senate candidates faced off at the Kodiak Chamber of Commerce fishery debate.
Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan was to spar with his Democratic opponent, former Representative Mary Peltola, who is Yup'ik and was the first Alaska Native ever elected to Congress. Sullivan is a lawyer and former state Attorney General. Peltola was a commercial fisher and former member of the state legislature.
Peltola's prior professional experience was likely to give her an advantage in a debate focused on Alaska's fishing industry, which might explain what happened during the debate. Sullivan and Peltola were given paddles that said "yes" or "no" which they were to use for certain questions.
At one point in the debate, Sullivan was stumped, had to be prompted by the moderator to answer the question, then looked to Peltola's raised paddle for help.
You can see the now viral moment, shared by Peltola, here:
The moderator asked:
"Do the North Pacific Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries adequately consider impacts on subsistence users, salmon migration, habitat, and Indigenous ways of life?"
Peltola, with her extensive experience, immediately answered by raising her "no" paddle. However Sullivan shuffled through the papers in front of him until the moderator prompted him to please answer the question.
At that point, Sullivan leaned forward to look at Peltola's answer, then raised his "no" paddle as well.
People found the moment very telling.
Before that iconic moment, Sullivan was shuffling papers, writing things down, looking down on what was in front of him, instead of engaging with debate moderators, the audience, & Peltola.It was as though he had brought work from the office and the debate was a mere afterthought, a distraction.
— Christopher Clark (@alaskanewsguy.bsky.social) September 14, 2026 at 10:35 PM
If I were a debate moderator again, I might have called him out on it.People at the event may not have noticed his behavior, but a television audience couldn't help but notice.Not only was he distracted, he was distracting.
— Christopher Clark (@alaskanewsguy.bsky.social) September 14, 2026 at 10:38 PM
It’s no wonder America is a mess - republicans are inept and incapable of governing. Sen Sullivan is clearly CLUELESS!!! Go, Alaska!! Vote for someone who cares about you and about making our lives better - Mary Peltola!!!!!💙🇺🇸🗽☮️💙🇺🇸🗽☮️
— freedomkao.bsky.social (@freedomkao.bsky.social) September 14, 2026 at 9:31 AM
People who have a 50:50 chance of getting an answer correct & need to cheat are...
— AarBarr (@4vcarb.bsky.social) September 14, 2026 at 10:32 AM
He was frantically searching thru his notes for the pre-planned attempt of looking informed and knowledgeable. Then he cheated. Clueless that everyone was laughing at him, not with him.
— Robin (@robinreissitar.bsky.social) September 14, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Alaska had been considered a sure bet to go red. The state hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008.
But this year's race is considered as a "toss-up" with Peltola holding a slight advantage in recent polls.
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