Republican Sullivan Touts Trump Pushback in Alaska Senate Debate

Republican Senator Dan Sullivan emphasized where he differs from Donald Trump, just days after the president headlined an Alaska rally for his embattled reelection campaign.

At a debate Thursday with Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, Sullivan distanced himself from Trump on issues including Ukraine and healthcare, showing how even Republicans with strong White House ties are navigating voter dissatisfaction with some administration policies.

When asked about Trump’s proposal to allow Russia to sell diesel on the international market, Sullivan said he had issued a statement opposing it. “I don’t think it’s a good idea at all.”

“This is the way in which I work with the Trump administration to get things done for our state,” Sullivan said, adding that he sometimes opposes the administration publicly and at other times pushes back privately when he believes Alaska’s interests are at stake.

Some of Trump’s policies have hit especially hard in Alaska, where higher energy costs make it more expensive to heat homes, fuel vehicles and ship goods from the rest of the US. Tariffs have complicated trade with partners such as Canada, while Trump’s focus on beautifying Washington, DC, has little direct relevance to the state.

That has created an opening for Peltola in a state Trump won by 13 points two years ago. The Alaska race could determine which party controls the US Senate for the rest of Trump’s term. Peltola has consistently polled narrowly ahead of Sullivan and used the debate to portray him as part of the Washington establishment.

“I’ll take on the rigged system that allows DC to wage forever wars,” Peltola said. “The incumbent has voted for this price-hiking war in Iran 14 times. This war is driving up our energy bills and hurting Alaskans with no end in sight.”

Peltola faced questions about a New York Times report alleging that she used abrasive language with staff. She said some claims were fabricated and that other incidents occurred while she was mourning her husband’s death and serving as Alaska’s sole US House member.

Sullivan said her behavior is part of a pattern stretching back years and amounts to a “character flaw.”

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Sullivan also raised the allegations Tuesday while appearing with Trump at a rally aimed at boosting Republican turnout in November’s midterm elections. Both men backed increased Alaska oil production as a way to combat high energy prices.

Sullivan has argued that his access to Trump and administration officials has helped him deliver for Alaska, making his emphasis on independence Thursday notable.

On healthcare, Sullivan pointed to instances where he broke with his party, saying he twice voted to extend premium tax credits under Obamacare. He also highlighted his work with the Biden administration to authorize funding for Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

“I led the effort to get that over the goal line in the Senate even when President Trump, who wasn’t in office at the time, was opposing it,” Sullivan said.

Asked whether he would support Trump running for a third term, Sullivan said, “No, absolutely not,” adding that it would be unconstitutional.