Alaska U.S. Senate races vital to determining control of upper chamber

(The Center Square) – The partisan makeup of the U.S. Senate could be determined by a seat up for election in Alaska.

Voters in Alaska will head to the polls on Tuesday to select candidates in Alaska’s nonpartisan primary race for U.S. Senate. Currently, the partisan makeup of the U.S. Senate is 53-45 with Republicans in the majority. There are two independent senators in the congressional body who caucus with Democrats.

Democrats are looking to take back the upper chamber of Congress by investing resources into key races across the country. Alaska is one of the key Senate races Democrats are targeting.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan S. Sullivan is seeking reelection in what is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested races in the country. He faces a slew of competitors – 16 candidates are on the ballot – from both parties in the nonpartisan primary, including prominent Democrat Mary Peltola.

Sullivan has focused his legislative efforts on bills that would expand...