Florida, Alaska Primaries Test GOP Hold Amid Redistricting and Name Confusion
Cover image from aljazeera.com, which was analyzed for this article
Voters in Florida and Alaska head to the polls in key races that could signal midterm trends, including a crowded Florida governor primary and a confusing Alaska Senate contest involving two Dan Sullivans.
PoliticalOS
Tuesday, August 18, 2026 — Politics
Republicans enter the midterms with durable structural edges in Florida and procedural quirks that may aid them in Alaska. These primaries will show whether Democratic recruitment and turnout can overcome those advantages or whether the state's partisan realignment continues.
What outlets missed
U.S. Census migration data for Lee and Collier counties show sustained inflows from other states, providing context for voter tolerance of out-of-state candidates in Florida's 19th District. Florida courts, including the state Supreme Court, rejected challenges to the new congressional map in June 2026. Total fundraising figures for the Alaska Senate race and the absence of independent polling in several Florida contests were reported unevenly. No outlet placed Florida's mid-decade redistricting inside the documented national pattern of similar map changes in other states this cycle.
Florida and Alaska voters cast ballots Tuesday in primaries that measure Republican structural advantages heading into November midterms. Florida's new congressional map, drawn by the Republican legislature and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, adds four Republican-leaning seats and leaves most of the state's 28 House districts settled before the general election. Alaska's Senate contest features incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan facing another Republican named Dan J. Sullivan Jr., whose presence on the ballot has prompted warnings from President Trump.
The Florida governor's race centers on Rep. Byron Donalds, who holds Trump's endorsement and leads polls after raising roughly $90 million. Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and activist James Fishback trail. On the Democratic side, former Rep. David Jolly is favored. The Senate primary pits appointed Republican Sen. Ashley Moody against Democrats Alex Vindman and state Rep. Angie Nixon. Redistricting also forces Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz into a new district and places Rep. Jared Moskowitz in a seat Trump carried by nine points in 2024.
In Alaska, the nonpartisan primary advances the top four finishers to November under ranked-choice voting. Former Rep. Mary Peltola, the Democratic nominee, has raised more than $18 million. Sullivan has raised more than $11 million. The second Sullivan, a retired teacher, has raised $18,000 and denies Democratic backing. Trump urged voters to support the incumbent.
Voter registration in Florida has shifted from a 250,000 Democratic edge in 2018 to a 1.5 million Republican advantage today. Republicans hold every statewide office. Analysts note that Democrats must flip four Senate seats nationally to gain control; Alaska remains one of their longer-shot targets.
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