Trump Heads to Alaska to Boost Dan Sullivan in Competitive Senate Race/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump will campaign in Alaska Tuesday for Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan as Democrats target an upset in a traditionally Republican state. Sullivan faces former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola in a race shaped by living costs, the Iran war and declining support for Trump. The visit also highlights Alaska’s ranked choice voting system and concerns about the president’s trade conflict with neighboring Canada.
Quick Look
- Rally location: Trump will appear in Wasilla, about 45 miles north of Anchorage.
- Senate matchup: Sullivan is seeking a third term against Peltola.
- Additional endorsement: Trump will support Rep. Nick Begich against independent challenger Bill Hill.
- Economic issues: High fuel prices and inflation are central campaign concerns.
- Energy announcement: Trump promoted a $54 billion South Korean investment, although Seoul says the agreement and value remain unfinished.
- Voting system: Alaska uses an open primary followed by ranked choice voting.
- Trade concerns: Tariffs and import restrictions involving Canada could increase costs for Alaska residents.
Deep Look
Trump Makes Long Alaska Trip to Support Sullivan
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — President Donald Trump is traveling to Alaska Tuesday to campaign for Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, devoting substantial time to a state where a competitive Senate race has raised Republican concerns.
Trump will headline a rally in Wasilla, roughly 45 miles north of Anchorage. The city is known as former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin’s hometown and the headquarters of the Iditarod sled dog race.
The visit is part of a western campaign swing that also includes Wednesday rallies in Arizona and Montana.
“Dan Sullivan’s a great senator,” Trump said last week.
“You look at the things he’s done. He would call me all the time because I think — I definitely know — nobody has helped Alaska like Donald Trump.”
Peltola Challenges Sullivan With Cost-of-Living Message
Sullivan is seeking his third Senate term against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman whose campaign emphasizes affordability and an “Alaska First” message.
Alaska last elected a Democratic senator in 2008 and has not elected a Democratic governor since 1998.
Its only Democratic presidential vote came during Lyndon B. Johnson’s 1964 landslide.
Nevertheless, high gasoline prices linked to the Iran war and persistent inflation have weakened Trump’s standing, giving Democrats hope of an upset.
Pollster Ivan Moore said Trump’s declining Alaska support resembles the national trend. Voters who supported him in 2024 but now question that support could determine the Senate outcome.
“The visit is certainly appropriate. Whether the visit will be effective or not is another matter,” Moore said.
He added that he initially doubted the proposed visit would actually happen.
Administration Highlights Drilling and Natural Gas Development
Trump’s administration has prioritized opening more of Alaska to oil and gas drilling.
Vice President JD Vance already visited Fairbanks to campaign for Sullivan.
The senator also joined Trump in the Oval Office for an announcement describing a $54 billion South Korean government investment in an Alaska natural gas project.
South Korea, however, has said the agreement and its total value have not been finalized.
Trump’s journey across four time zones represents his strongest personal show of support for Sullivan so far.
Previous Alaska Rally Failed to Unseat Murkowski
Alaska has approximately 740,000 residents and ranks 48th among states in population, ahead of only Vermont and Wyoming.
Despite its small population, Trump also campaigned there in 2022, seeking to defeat Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Murkowski had voted to convict Trump during his second impeachment trial following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
Trump supported challenger Kelly Tshibaka, but Murkowski won reelection.
Two Dan Sullivans Appear on Senate Ballot
Alaska’s open primary advances the four leading candidates regardless of party. The general election then uses ranked choice voting.
This year’s Senate ballot includes both Sen. Dan Sullivan and retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan.
Trump and the senator’s allies have described the retired teacher as a sham candidate. Dan J. Sullivan denies that accusation.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Alaska’s election system, which allows multiple candidates from the same party to reach the general election.
Begich Also Faces Competitive House Challenge
Trump plans to support Republican Rep. Nick Begich at the rally.
Begich faces independent Bill Hill in a competitive House contest.
Alaska has often rewarded candidates who demonstrate independence, a characteristic Vance acknowledged during his Fairbanks visit.
“In very deep red years, Alaska is competitive. In very deep blue years, Alaska is still competitive,” Vance said. “I think it’s just a reality of the politics of the state.”
Some Republicans in difficult races elsewhere have begun distancing themselves from Trump on Iran and tariffs. Sullivan, however, has remained a vocal supporter of both.
Alaska Republicans Urge Voters to Rank Party Candidates
Trump recently questioned why three Republicans were competing against a Democrat for governor.
“How stupid are we to do this?” he asked on social media.
State Republican leaders are urging voters to rank Republican candidates and leave Democrats unranked.
“We want to be clear: we do not support ranked choice voting. It is a confusing, burdensome and costly voting scheme,” party leaders, including chair Carmela Warfield, said Saturday. “That said, ranked choice voting is the system Alaska will use for the 2026 General Election, and we must work within it for this election to keep Alaska’s recent momentum going strong.”
Canada Trade Conflict Adds Economic and Political Pressure
Canada shares a border exceeding 1,500 miles with Alaska and is one of the state’s most important trading partners.
Trump’s trade policies could therefore have particular consequences for Alaska consumers.
The United States prohibited nearly $1 billion in Canadian imports, including alcoholic beverages, dairy products and motorcycles, after imposing 50% tariffs on approximately $20 billion in Canadian goods.
Canada responded with reciprocal restrictions and import levies.
The escalating dispute could raise consumer prices and strain relationships with a close neighbor.
Moore described treating Canada as an adversary as “discomforting” for many Alaskans.
“We associate, I think, probably more closely with the Canadians — more than a lot of the Lower 48,” he said.
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