Politics

Video: US Senate debate presented by United For Liberty

Incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich faced his Republican challenger, Dan Sullivan, for the first time Wednesday evening in a debate in Anchorage, with the two candidates drawing sharp distinctions between their visions of the state's future and its path over the nearly six years since Begich was elected.

The contrast was stark, with Begich seeking voters' support for another term in Washington, D.C., where he said he'd worked with other lawmakers to push forward pragmatic solutions to challenges like health care costs, the nation's immigration crisis, and its slow economic recovery from the 2008 recession.

Begich's attitude was perhaps best summarized by remarks in his closing statement.

"I want to talk about what's possible," he said. "At the end of the day, I'm going to sit down with people, listen to folks, try to find that common thread that binds us."

Sullivan, meanwhile, laid out a more pessimistic view, saying people in Alaska were losing hope and that Begich had failed to reverse what Sullivan described as an unsustainable path for nation. Voters should choose him, Sullivan added, because "we're running out of time."

Read more: Sharp debate between Sullivan, Begich kicks off general election campaign

ADVERTISEMENT