Dan Sullivan is the incumbent Republican U.S. Senator from Alaska, first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2020 with 53.9% of the vote. Born in Ohio, Sullivan earned degrees from Harvard University and Georgetown University Law Center, and served as a Marine Corps officer. He previously served as Alaska's Attorney General (2009-2010) and Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (2010-2013). Sullivan is a strong Trump supporter and has received the former president's full endorsement for his 2026 reelection bid.
Sullivan was born in Fairview Park, Ohio in 1964, son of Sandra and Thomas C. Sullivan, president/CEO of RPM International (a multinational corporation founded by Sullivan's grandfather). Sullivan graduated from Culver Military Academy and Harvard University with a degree in economics, then attended Georgetown University for joint Juris Doctor and Master of Science in Foreign Service. He served on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps (1993-1997, 2004-2006, 2009, 2013) as an officer and judge advocate, rising to Lieutenant Colonel in the reserves. Between military service, he clerked for federal judges including the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. He moved to Alaska in the late 1990s and served as Alaska Attorney General (2009-2010) and Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources (2010-2013) before being elected to Senate in 2014.
Strong supporter
Sullivan strongly supports opening more areas of the North Slope to oil and gas drilling and backing the trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline project.
Voting History: Voted for the Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act and other environmental policies favoring resource extraction
Support tax cuts and spending restraint
Sullivan backed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act with large personal tax cuts, though it included cuts to Medicaid that could affect up to 12,000 Alaskans.
Voting History: Voted for the Republican budget bill despite Democratic concerns about healthcare funding
Supports Medicaid cuts in Republican budget plans
Sullivan touted a $1.4 billion rural health care fund but was unaware of restrictions limiting how Alaska can use the funds to address key issues like self-employed premiums and housing for healthcare workers.
Voting History: Supported the Big Beautiful Bill Act which included Medicaid reductions
Skeptical of scientific consensus
Sullivan rejects the scientific consensus on climate change and argues the verdict is still out on human contribution to climate change.
Voting History: Voted against climate-focused regulations and environmental protections
Supports election security measures like SAVE Act
Sullivan advocates for voter ID requirements and has presented arguments emphasizing election security, though critics argue the claims overstate the scope of actual noncitizen voting.
Voting History: Supported the SAVE Act and related election security measures
Sullivan has served since 2015 and votes consistently with Trump's agenda (91.5% alignment according to FiveThirtyEight). He has missed 169 of 4,182 roll call votes (4.0%), slightly above the Senate median of 2.8%. Sullivan was the primary sponsor of 29 enacted bills covering fisheries, veterans affairs, and natural resource issues.
| Bill | Title | Vote | Date | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second Impeachment Trial | Trump Impeachment Acquittal Vote | Yea (to acquit) | 2021 | Sullivan voted to acquit Trump despite acknowledging Trump's 'blatant disregard' for VP Pence and citing procedural due process concerns instead of substantive accountability |
| Respect for Marriage Act | Marriage Equality Protection | Yea | 2022 | Sullivan voted for marriage equality alongside 11 other Senate Republicans, showing willingness to cross party lines on social issues |
| Working Families Tax Cuts Act | Republican Budget and Tax Bill | Yea | 2025 | Voted for Trump-backed budget bill that included Medicaid cuts potentially affecting 12,000 Alaskans, despite concerns raised by state legislators |
| Public Broadcasting Rescission | Cuts to Corporation for Public Broadcasting | Yea | 2025 | Voted to cut federal funding for public broadcasting despite many Alaskans' reliance on public media stations, earning Trump's approval |
Sullivan's social media and official communications emphasize strong partisanship, with frequent criticism of Democrats and wholesale adoption of Trump administration messaging. This is notably more partisan than his earlier statements in 2016 when he criticized Trump over sexual assault allegations. His official government videos have taken on campaign-style tone with criticism of specific Democratic leaders.
Sullivan released a video standing on skis, touting tax cuts and building pipelines, while holding up sheets of Biden/Schumer policies he opposed before skiing away
Response to Democratic attack ads from Senate Majority PAC highlighting higher costs and healthcare prices under Sullivan's support for Republican policies
Sullivan gave extensive Senate remarks on National Petroleum Reserve expansion and North Slope development, emphasizing native people's support and national security interests
Part of broader messaging campaign on resource development and Trump administration policies
Sullivan keeps voting yes with his party leaders, no matter how much it hurts Alaska
Democratic ad highlighting high gas prices ($4.23 in Alaska, up 70 cents) and suggesting Sullivan prioritizes party loyalty over Alaskan costs of living
Sullivan cut funding to public media stations that many Alaskans rely on
Peltola criticized Sullivan's vote to rescind public broadcasting funding as part of larger Republican agenda that harms Alaska
Sullivan gives partisan speeches without critiquing Trump administration failures
Dunbar noted Sullivan's legislative address was 'the most partisan speech' ever given, with no critique of Trump's cancellation of Alaska projects or threats to democracy