Sen. Dan Sullivan campaign event draws enthusiastic crowd

US Sen. Dan Sullivan drew a room filled with supporters Monday evening at the Petroleum Club of Anchorage, where about 50 attendees gathered for a campaign stop that felt more like a happy reunion of Alaska civic, grassroots political, and business figures than a routine event.

The room was full and energetic, with longtime Republican activists, business leaders, and familiar names in attendance. Among them were former Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, legendary hunter John Sturgeon (who hosted the event), Mike Crawford, John Hendrix, Chad Padgett, Joe Balash, Stacey Stone, Angelina Burney, Jamie Donley, Sarah Erkmann-Ward, Bob Bell, Judy Eledge and Randy Eledge, Alaska Republican Party Chair Carmela Warfield and Jason Warfield, former state Sen. David Wilson, Misty Steed, Lisa Sauder, Cale Green, and Brett Huber of Americans for Prosperity Alaska.

In an unusual twist, Democrat political figure Janice Park, who has just won an Assembly seat in Anchorage, was possibly the lone Democrat in attendance. She was there to ask for something from the senator and then left.

Sullivan, in high spirits, spoke enthusiastically, shared stories from his two terms in office, offering a confident and upbeat tone as he continues his campaign outreach. His wife, Julie Fate Sullivan, was also in attendance, mingling with guests and adding to the evening’s warm, informal atmosphere.

Sullivan was first elected in 2014, unseating Democrat Mark Begich from the US Senate seat. It was Sullivan’s first political run for office after having served as commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and as Alaska’s Attorney General alongside Gov. Sean Parnell.

The gathering reflected a strong base of support for Sullivan among Alaska’s Republican and business communities, with attendees engaging in lively conversation before and after the senator’s remarks.