By THE ALASKA STORY
Alaska Teamsters Local 959 on Monday announced it is endorsing US Sen. Dan Sullivan for another term, putting one of the state’s largest private-sector labor unions squarely behind the Republican incumbent as the 2026 Senate race begins to take shape.
Local 959 represents more than 5,000 members across Alaska, including nurses, telecommunications workers, truck drivers, and oil-field employees. The union has been active in the state since 1941 and has historically played a central role in major infrastructure and energy projects, from early statehood through construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and today’s logistics, healthcare, and resource industries.
Sullivan, who is seeking a third term, said he was grateful for the support and highlighted the union’s role in Alaska’s economy and workforce. He credited Teamsters members with building and maintaining infrastructure, supporting the energy sector, and contributing to national defense and community stability across the state.
Gary Dixon, the secretary-treasurer of Local 959, said the endorsement reflects the union’s long involvement in Alaska’s growth and its desire to continue that trajectory. He pointed to the union’s history of representing working families across multiple industries and said its members want to be part of building Alaska’s future, just as they were during the statehood and pipeline eras.
The Teamsters’ backing adds to a long list of high-profile endorsements Sullivan has accumulated from Alaska Native corporations, business leaders, and elected officials. Those supporting his re-election include Andrew Guy of Calista Corporation; state Sen. Lyman Hoffman, who represents the Aleutians, Bristol Bay, the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, the Pribilof Islands, and the Alaska Peninsula; and Sheri Buretta of Chugach Alaska Corporation.
Energy and resource development leaders on Sullivan’s endorsement list include Tara Sweeney of ConocoPhillips Alaska; John Lincoln of NANA Regional Corporation; Kristina Woolston of Old Harbor Native Corporation; and Carl Marrs, the former chief executive of both CIRI and Old Harbor. Several major regional Native corporations have also endorsed Sullivan, including Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, represented by Rex Rock Sr. and Crawford Patkotak; Chenega Corporation, led by Charles Totemoff; Aleut Corporation, led by Skoey Vergen; Huna Totem Corporation, led by Russell Dick; and Aaron Schutt of Doyon.
Other supporters include Curtis McQueen of the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, Bill Thomas of Klukwan, Inc., and John Moller of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council. Of course, President Donald Trump has also endorsed Sullivan, as has Sen. Lisa Murkowski.
Sullivan faces a challenge this year from Democrat Mary Peltola, who announced her Senate bid early Monday morning. The Teamsters’ endorsement gives Sullivan an early boost from organized labor at a time when the race is drawing increasing national attention and outside money, and it underscores the continued support he has among unions and Alaska’s major employers tied to energy, transportation, and resource development.
Peltola has begun to consolidate support from Team Biden. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced his endorsement of her Senate bid, adding to the backing she has already received from former Vice President Kamala Harris. With those two endorsements, senior alumni of the Biden White House are now lining up behind Peltola, signaling that her campaign is expected to be a major focus of national Democratic fundraising and attention in the Alaska race.
2 thoughts on “Sullivan picks up valued endorsement from Teamsters, while Biden alumni lining up behind Mary”
Good for 959. Now we’ll see if their national mother ship will move AT LEAST to the center. I didn’t hear about them taking advantage of a massive GIMME when illegal, non-english speaking aliens were operating 18 wheel rigs – some of whom couldn’t speak English and/or who literally killed innocent people on America’s highways. They should have promoted their members as licensed, capable and professional drivers to every news channel and website in the U.S.
Why can’t Mary be 1/2 as intelligent as Sullivan’s wife Julie. Both are Natives. Why can’t Mary be 1/10 as attractive as Julie?