Peltola hits back at Sullivan’s attempt at a ‘gotcha’ in Alaska Senate debate

Alaska Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan failed an attempt at a “gotcha” moment against former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola as they clashed Thursday in their final debate ahead of November’s midterm elections.

The pair, who are competing in a key U.S. Senate race that could determine which party controls the upper chamber, traded quips over the impact of President Donald Trump’s policies on Alaska’s economy and their plans to deliver for the state if elected.

In one testy exchange, Sullivan, a close ally of Trump who is running for a third term with the president’s endorsement, made a blunder when he accused Peltola of having received the questions in advance of the debate.

“Can I ask the moderator a question?” Sullivan said shortly after Peltola said Alaskans are suffering higher gas prices due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “We weren’t supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?”

“Neither one of you got questions beforehand,” said Lori Townsend, the chief editor at Alaska Public Media, who moderated the debate. “Absolutely not.”

“Okay, I’m just watching my opponent read from questions that seem to be answered,” Sullivan said.

“I’m prepared,” Peltola responded.

Sullivan was apparently accusing Peltola of violating the debate rules by receiving questions from the panel beforehand. But the exchange instead appeared to be a failed attempt at a “gotcha” moment by the Republican, which highlighted Peltola’s calm demeanor as she delivered her answers.

The incident recalls Sen. Eric Schmitt’s similarly embarrassing misfire in Jack Smith’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month. The Missouri Republican accused the former special counsel of perjuring himself about an NBA basketball game in Atlanta that he did not attend. Smith was at the University of Maryland in College Park that night, watching Maryland play the University of Iowa.

Overall, Peltola and Sullivan have spent more than $56 million on ads in the race, which have dominated Alaska’s limited airwaves for months. The general election contest is also likely to shatter spending records.

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