Alaska Senate Candidate Mary Peltola, Family Hurt in Car Crash Before Campaign Event

Alaska Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola and members of her family sustained minor injuries Saturday after their vehicle was struck by another car while heading to a campaign event, according to her campaign.

The family was traveling to the Alaska Federation of Natives Annual Banquet when the crash occurred. Peltola required medical attention following the collision.

Her campaign manager said Peltola was in good spirits afterward but that medical providers advised she take time to recover, leading to the postponement of events planned for Sunday and Monday.

The crash disrupted the start of her 'Alaska Always Tour,' an eight-stop campaign push in the final week before Election Day. Her campaign said she is expected to return to the trail Tuesday with a stop in Homer.

Peltola, a former congresswoman and Alaska Native, is running against Republican Senator Dan Sullivan in a race considered one of the most closely watched in the country. Both candidates have been seeking support from Alaska Native voters, seen as a key constituency in the contest.

The race has also drawn national attention after President Trump said he had directed his administration to pursue legal action to block certification of the result if Sullivan loses, citing possible voter confusion with another candidate on the ranked choice ballot.