Alaska GOP Senate nominee Sullivan questions if Democrat rival Peltola got questions before debate

During the debate, Peltola appeared to be holding large notecards with bullet points, which she was looking at while she answered questions.

Published: October 16, 2026 8:16am

Updated: October 16, 2026 12:51pm

Republicans are criticizing Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola for her use of notecards during a debate with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan Thursday night. 

During the debate, Peltola appeared to be holding large notecards with bullet points, which she was looking at while she answered questions. 

"Really, Mary? Reading off a script? You can't cue-card your way through the Senate," Sullivan wrote on X, which included a photo of Peltola holding one of the cards.  Sullivan made several other posts mocking Peltola's use of the cards. 

Other Republicans offered their own jabs at Peltola. 

"Hey Mary, your Lower 48 handlers are very happy you're reading from the script they sent you!" Joanna Rodriguez, communications director for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, said on X. 

When Sullivan remarked on the cards during the debate, Peltola said she was more prepared than Sullivan. 

During the debate, Sullivan questioned whether Peltola received the questions before hand.

Sullivan asked after Peltola responded to a question, while appearing to read from a piece of paper, about how she would work to improve affordability for Alaskans if elected. 

"Here's a moderator question. We weren't supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?" Sullivan asked.

"No, sir," one moderator responded, according to Fox News.

"Neither one of you got questions beforehand," the other moderator said. "Absolutely not."

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