Candidates Address Alaska Federation of Natives Conference
Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola addressed attendees at the Alaska Federation of Natives conference in Anchorage this week, positioning themselves as strong advocates for Alaska Native issues ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm election.
The event took place less than one week before the general election, with both candidates actively seeking to rally support from Alaska Native voters, a critical constituency in the state’s closely watched Senate race.
Sullivan and Peltola highlighted their respective records and policy positions during their appearances at the conference. The organization, which previously endorsed Peltola during her House races in 2022 and 2024, did not issue an endorsement for this year’s Senate contest.
Endorsements and Political Context
Both candidates have pointed to support from regional Native organizations as evidence of their standing within Alaska Native communities. Sealaska Corp., a regional Native corporation in southeast Alaska, endorsed both Sullivan and Peltola.
In its statement, the corporation described the dual endorsements as a way to "honor their contributions and commitment to our communities, and to honor the diverse positions of our shareholders." The organization noted that its shareholders hold varied views on the candidates, necessitating a neutral stance regarding individual party affiliations.
The Senate race has drawn national attention due to its potential impact on control of the U.S. Senate. The contest involves ranked-choice voting, a system that has generated legal and political scrutiny in recent weeks.
Policy Positions and Campaign Dynamics
During his address, Sullivan cited his work ensuring that Alaska Native Vietnam War-era veterans have access to land allotments. He also addressed broader geopolitical issues, characterizing the conflict with Iran as temporary while describing Democratic opposition to Alaskan energy projects as a "forever war." Sheri Buretta, chair of the board of Chugach Alaska Corp., introduced Sullivan at the event, describing him as "one of our strongest champions." Peltola spoke emotionally about the crisis of missing and murdered indigenous people, calling for additional law enforcement resources to address the issue. She also expressed support for fisheries and stated that Alaskan Natives are being "absolutely crushed" by high costs associated with the ongoing war with Iran.
Outside the immediate policy discussions, concerns about voter sentiment were raised during the conference. Actor and activist Dallas Goldtooth expressed worries about voter cynicism in Alaska Native communities but encouraged attendees to vote to ensure their voices are counted.
Litigation Over Ballot Certification
The election cycle has been marked by significant legal challenges regarding the certification of results. President Donald Trump, who held a rally in support of Sullivan earlier this month, stated he instructed his administration to sue to block the certification of the Senate race if Sullivan loses.
U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote on social media that a lawsuit is necessary to ensure officials have information to determine if Alaskan voters were confused or misled by another candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., listed on the ranked choice ballot without a party designation.
The legal disputes center on the administration of the ranked-choice voting system and the presentation of candidates on the ballot. The outcome of these legal challenges will be determined by courts as the election approaches.