Former President Trump held a rally in Alaska to campaign for incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan ahead of a competitive Senate race scheduled for next month. The election has become complicated by the presence of another candidate named Daniel Sullivan, a retired schoolteacher also running as a Republican, on the ballot alongside the incumbent and Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, a former U.S. House member.
Trump characterized the similar-named rival candidate as an attempt to confuse voters and split Republican support. The incumbent senator has alleged the other Sullivan is colluding with Democrats to undermine his re-election. Trump noted that the challenger received 2.5% of the vote during the August primary and argued this margin could prove decisive in the general election. The incumbent senator’s name will appear on the ballot with “(Registered Republican) Incumbent” designation to distinguish him from his rival.
Trump used the rally to attack Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, calling it “a scam” and urging voters to support a ballot measure to repeal it. Sullivan, speaking ahead of Trump, focused his remarks on criticizing his opponent’s record on energy policy. He argued Peltola failed to oppose federal executive orders he characterized as harmful to Alaska’s oil and gas industry, which significantly contributes to the state’s economy.
Peltola’s campaign responded by stating she looks forward to working with Trump to develop Alaska’s energy sector and lower costs. Her team also criticized Sullivan’s support for what they called failed policies and his position on Iran. Peltola, who won a special House election in 2022 following the death of longtime Republican congressman Don Young, was defeated in a full-term race in 2024 by Republican Nick Begich.
Recent polling indicates the Senate race remains highly competitive. Alaska has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 2008, though the state voted for Trump by a significant margin in 2024.
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