Alaska Republican Dan Sullivan, a first-time candidate for elected office, says his dearth of experience on the trail will help — not hurt — his bid for Alaska’s Senate seat in this climate of unhappiness with Congress.
Sullivan was appointed to both prominent statewide positions he’s held, Alaska’s attorney general and commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources, and therefore lacks the campaign experience useful when vying for statewide office — particularly against an experienced incumbent.
Still, as the outsider with support from across the Republican spectrum, Sullivan is the front-runner in the Aug. 19 primary to take on Democratic Sen. Mark Begich.
“I think not running, particularly in this year, is actually an advantage,” he said Wednesday in an interview with CQ Roll Call.
In the interview, Sullivan highlighted his work to combat Alaska’s high domestic violence and sexual assault rates, which he calls “probably the biggest social problem . . . that we have in Alaska.” He also described himself as a doer and a fighter, especially in combating policies of the Obama administration.
With nearly $2 million in cash on hand by the end of March, Sullivan has significantly out-raised the other two Republicans seeking the nomination.
Asked about his ongoing primary, Sullivan said he’s tried to unite the party and criticized other Republicans in the race for “saying we shouldn’t be doing a smash-up derby but then doing a smash-up derby.” The remark is likely a swipe at Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, who said he wanted to avoid a “demolition derby” in the primary when he announced his candidacy.
Sullivan will be one of two Dan Sullivans on the primary ballot. But he thinks by August voters will be able to distinguish him from the Anchorage mayor of the same name who is running for lieutenant governor.
“There’s different nicknames” to lessen the confusion, he said, listing his own as Marine Dan, Afghan Dan and DNR Dan.
Previous candidate interviews:
