Gowns, tuxedos, and happy warriors: Alaska Republicans turn out for Ted Cruz, Sullivan, Begich

By SUZANNE DOWNING

Oct. 17, 2026 – If anyone thought Alaska Republicans were running low on energy heading into the November election, Friday night’s gala at the Dena’ina Convention Center offered a lively rebuttal.

A couple of thousand people gathered in downtown Anchorage for the Alaska Republican Party’s gathering, with women in gowns and men in suits and tuxedos. The mood was joyful, the room energized, and the message from keynote speaker Sen. Ted Cruz was clear: Take the fight seriously, but be happy warriors.

The Texas Republican headlined an evening featuring Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Congressman Nick Begich, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Alaska Republican Party Chair Carmela Warfield. No Sen. Lisa Murkowski, even though she carries the R by her name.

For Cruz, the trip continued a tradition of showing up for Sullivan. He campaigned in Alaska during Sullivan’s first Senate bid in 2014, returned for his reelection campaign in 2020, and is back again in 2026.

Cruz also has his own following in the state. He won Alaska’s Republican presidential preference poll in 2016, finishing ahead of Donald Trump.

On Friday, he brought the forceful speaking style that helped build that following, mixing sharp warnings about the political opposition with an upbeat appeal to Republican purpose.

Cruz portrayed the Democratic Party as increasingly overtaken by socialists and communists and warned about what he described as the influence of Islam taking over the Democrats.

He contrasted that picture with Sullivan, whom he praised as a vigorous fighter for Alaska.

His message extended beyond the immediate election. Cruz argued that Republicans have repeatedly helped rescue the country at pivotal moments, invoking the party’s history in ending slavery, advancing women’s suffrage, and helping pass landmark civil rights legislation.

He tied that history to the country’s founding principles and constitutional protections: freedom of speech and the right to keep and bear arms. His appeal was for Republicans to carry those convictions into the election with confidence and good cheer.

Outside, protesters shouted from across the street as police kept a watchful eye. Their bullhorn cries could not be heard inside the building, where the evening’s celebratory atmosphere continued.

Security was tight, with two US senators, Alaska’s congressman, and the governor all in the room. For Gov. Dunleavy, it may be his last big event after eight years leading the State of Alaska, he said.

With the election approaching, the gala gave Republican grassroots activists an evening to dress up, reconnect, and rally around their candidates. Cruz’s charge to the crowd fit the mood: There was work ahead, and every reason to meet it as happy warriors.