President Donald Trump held a rally for Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and other Republican candidates in Wasilla, Alaska, on October 13, 2026. This event marked the first stop on a three-leg campaign tour that will also include Arizona and Montana.
Democrats are targeting Alaska, a traditionally Republican state, as a potential gain in their effort to flip the Senate in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. To regain the majority, Democrats need to win at least four seats. As of the rally, former Representative Mary Peltola, the Democratic candidate, had a 1.4-point lead over Sullivan according to the RealClearPolitics polling average.
The situation is complicated by the presence of another candidate named Dan Sullivan on the ballot. Trump and other Republicans have accused Democrats of manipulating Alaska’s ranked choice voting system to confuse voters and siphon votes from the incumbent senator.
During the rally, Trump emphasized his support for the incumbent, stating, “On Nov. 3, we’re going to send one of the best and most respected senators in D.C.: Dan Sullivan, the real, the real Dan Sullivan.” He criticized the other Dan Sullivan, who will appear on the ballot as “Daniel J. Sullivan,” claiming that Democrats are attempting to mislead voters.
Trump also called for the repeal of ranked choice voting in Alaska, labeling it a “Dumocrat scam” and urging voters to support Ballot Measure 2 to eliminate it. He stated, “Any place you have ranked choice, you have damn bad cheating, and we can’t let that happen.”
The president's speech followed his typical rally format, discussing various topics including his energy agenda, criticism of the media, and promises of financial support for voters if Republicans maintain control of Congress. He described Peltola as a “whack job” and accused her of collaborating with President Joe Biden to undermine Alaska’s oil and gas industry.
Near the end of his remarks, Trump highlighted Sullivan's efforts to improve rural broadband access in Alaska, announcing that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plans to vote on an additional $162 million investment for high-speed internet in the state. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who joined Trump on stage, reiterated the commitment to connect all Alaskans to high-speed internet.
This rally is part of Trump’s broader campaign strategy, as he plans to continue campaigning in Republican strongholds and swing states leading up to the midterm elections.