Trump claims federal probe into independent Dan Sullivan on Alaska Senate ballot
President Donald Trump said federal authorities are examining independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan, who shares a name with incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, during a Fox News interview after a campaign rally in Wasilla, Alaska, on Oct. 14, 2026.
Trump framed the independent run as a Democratic ploy to confuse voters and siphon support from the Republican incumbent, describing it as a “hoax” and a “Dumocrat scam.” He urged Alaskans to support Ballot Measure 2, which would repeal the state’s ranked‑choice voting system, calling the practice “damn bad cheating.”
In the rally’s main speech, Trump praised the incumbent as “the real Dan Sullivan,” warning that the other candidate’s 2.4 percent primary showing could tip a close race. He warned that the challenger had even tried to change his middle initial to “S,” adding that “crooked people” were behind the effort.
The president also weighed in on the state’s gubernatorial contest, endorsing Republican Bernadette Wilson and urging her primary opponent, Dave Bronson, to step aside. “He doesn’t have to, but he should,” Trump said, noting that Bronson lost the primary by a substantial margin.
Trump’s remarks turned to the Democratic Senate challenger, former Rep. Mary Peltola, whom he labeled a “whack job” and accused of colluding with former President Joe Biden to harm Alaska’s oil and gas sector. He argued that higher fuel prices were a “small price to pay” to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, promising that a Republican victory would lower gasoline costs.
Near the end of the event, Trump highlighted a forthcoming Federal Communications Commission vote on an additional $162 million to expand high‑speed internet in Alaska. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, appearing on stage, said the investment would build on existing broadband projects and help connect “every single person” in the state.
The rally was the first stop on Trump’s western tour, which also includes appearances in Arizona and Montana before the president heads to Georgia, Florida and Kentucky later in the week.
