Trump forced into unusual Alaska trip as GOP faces midterm warning
Por Will Weisert and Becky Bohrer — – World RSS Feed
Trump forced into unusual Alaska trip as GOP faces midterm warning
Trump on Tuesday will devote a big chunk of his dwindling time ahead of crucial midterm elections to head all the way to Alaska
Will Weisert & Becky Bohrer Tuesday 13 October 2026 08:58 BST
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President Donald Trump is making an unusual last-minute campaign trip to Alaska as Republicans scramble to defend a Senate seat in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the chamber in nearly two decades.
Trump will travel to Wasilla, about 45 miles north of Anchorage, on Tuesday to rally support for Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, whose unexpectedly competitive reelection race against Democrat Mary Peltola has become a GOP concern ahead of the November 3 midterms.
The visit, just three weeks before Election Day, underscores the stakes for Republicans as they fight to maintain control of Congress amid voter frustration over soaring gasoline prices, persistent inflation and the war in Iran.
open image in galleryAlaska has traditionally been reliable Republican territory. No Democrat has won a Senate race there since 2008, and the state has voted for Republican presidential candidates in every election since 1968.
But declining support for Trump has given Democrats an opening in a state known for its fiercely independent voters.
Peltola, a former congresswoman, is running on an “Alaska First” platform centered on tackling the rising cost of living.
Alaska pollster Ivan Moore said Trump’s declining popularity in the state reflects his falling national approval ratings, suggesting the race could hinge on voters who supported the president in 2024 but have since become disillusioned.
open image in gallery“The visit is certainly appropriate. Whether the visit will be effective or not is another matter,” Moore said.
Trump makes rare trip to defend Republican stronghold
Trump’s journey to Alaska, which crosses four time zones, is an unusual commitment so close to a national election, particularly for a state with a population of just 740,000.
The president will also campaign in Arizona and Montana on Wednesday as part of a final push to protect Republican seats.
Trump praised Sullivan last week, calling him a “great senator” and claiming no president had done more for Alaska.
open image in gallery“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,” he said.
Vice President JD Vance has also traveled to Fairbanks to support Sullivan, who is seeking a third Senate term.
The Trump administration has made expanding oil and gas drilling in Alaska a priority, while Sullivan recently joined the president at the White House for the announcement of a proposed $54 billion South Korean investment in an Alaskan natural gas project.
South Korean officials have cautioned that the agreement and its valuation have not been finalized.
Despite the administration’s efforts to boost Alaska’s energy industry, rising fuel costs and Trump’s trade policies have created political challenges.
The president’s tariffs on Canadian goods have particularly significant implications for Alaska, which shares more than 1,500 miles of border with Canada and maintains close economic ties with its northern neighbor.
open image in galleryCanada has retaliated against US trade restrictions, raising concerns about higher prices for Alaskan consumers.
“We associate, I think, probably more closely with the Canadians — more than a lot of the Lower 48,” Moore said.
Alaska’s unpredictable politics complicate GOP plans
Alaska’s distinctive election system has added another layer of uncertainty to the Senate contest.
Under the state’s open primary and ranked-choice voting system, the four candidates receiving the most primary votes advance to the general election.
That has added another candidate, Dan Sullivan, to the ballot.
Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, has been accused by Trump and allies of the incumbent senator of running as a sham candidate. He denies the allegation.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Alaska’s voting system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
open image in galleryLast week, he expressed frustration over the crowded gubernatorial race, questioning why multiple Republicans were competing against a single Democrat.
“How stupid are we to do this?” Trump wrote on social media.
State Republican leaders have urged voters to rank only GOP candidates, despite opposing the voting system itself.
“We want to be clear: we do not support ranked choice voting. It is a confusing, burdensome and costly voting scheme,” Republican leaders, including state party chair Carmela Warfield, said Saturday.
Trump has previously intervened in Alaska’s Republican politics, campaigning against Sen. Lisa Murkowski in 2022 after she voted to convict him during his second impeachment trial over the January 6 Capitol attack.
His preferred challenger, Kelly Tshibaka, ultimately lost to Murkowski.
Tuesday’s rally will also see Trump campaign for Republican Rep. Nick Begich, who faces a competitive challenge from independent Bill Hill.
Unlike some Republicans in closely contested races who have distanced themselves from Trump’s policies on Iran and tariffs, Sullivan has remained a staunch supporter of the president.
That loyalty could prove consequential in a state where political independence has traditionally played an important role.
During his recent visit to Fairbanks, Vance acknowledged Alaska’s unpredictable political landscape.
“In very deep red years, Alaska is competitive. In very deep blue years, Alaska is still competitive,” he said. “I think it’s just a reality of the politics of the state.”
More about
Donald TrumpAlaskaRepublicansSenateDan SullivanMary PeltolaInflationAnchorageIranCongressNovemberElection DayDemocratsGOPArizona
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