By SUZANNE DOWNING
A group of prominent Alaska Native leaders announced their endorsement of Sen. Dan Sullivan for re-election in 2026, signaling early and broad support from leaders across Alaska Native corporations, tribal organizations, fisheries management, and state government.
The endorsers include chief executives and board leaders from several of Alaska’s largest Native regional and village corporations, along with current and former public officials whose influence spans Western Alaska, the Arctic, Southeast, and Southcentral regions.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the continued trust and support of these respected Alaskan leaders, who care deeply about Alaska’s future,” Sullivan said in a statement. “Working together, we’ve made real progress and positioned our state to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities before us. I look forward to continuing our work together and building an even stronger future for our state.”
It comes at a time when many are still wondering if former US Rep. Mary Peltola is planning to run against Sullivan. The Washington, DC Democrat establishment, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, has been pressuring her for months to jump in, promising her that she’d have all the money she needs to mount a challenge.
Those endorsing Sullivan include Andrew Guy, president and CEO of Calista Corporation; Alaska State Sen. Lyman Hoffman, who represents a vast Western Alaska district; Sheri Buretta, chairman of Chugach Corporation; Tara Sweeney, vice president of external affairs at ConocoPhillips Alaska and a former US assistant secretary of Indian Affairs; John Lincoln, president and CEO of NANA Corporation and a former state legislator; Kristina Woolston, CEO of Old Harbor Native Corporation; and Carl Marrs, former president and CEO of CIRI and Old Harbor Native Corporation.
Also joining the endorsement are Curtis McQueen, executive director of the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association; Charles W. Totemoff, chairman, president, and CEO of Chenega Corporation; Skoey Vergen, president and CEO of Aleut Corporation; Russell Dick, president and CEO of Huna Totem Corporation; and Aaron Schutt, president and CEO of Doyon Limited.
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation leaders Rex Rock Sr. and Crawford Patkotak also endorsed Sullivan in their individual capacities, noting that their corporate titles are listed for identification purposes only. Both are long-time leaders in North Slope governance, subsistence, and regional economic development.
Additional endorsers include Bill Thomas, former Alaska state representative and chairman of Klukwan, Inc.; and John Moller, a council member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council with decades of experience in Alaska’s commercial fishing industry.
The group represents shareholders and communities across nearly every region of Alaska and includes leaders with deep backgrounds in subsistence, commercial fishing, energy development, tourism, infrastructure, and federal and state policy.
Sullivan, first elected to the US Senate in 2014, has emphasized Alaska’s strategic role in national defense, energy production, fisheries, and Arctic policy. His campaign said additional endorsements from Alaska leaders and organizations will be announced in the coming days as the 2026 race takes shape.
4 thoughts on “Alaska Native leaders across the state line up early behind Sullivan’s 2026 re-election”
Halibut cuts for Christmas,That’s what we’re getting this year.One fish wrapped in regulation,While trawlers take the whole frontier.Halibut cuts for Christmas,Hope the message’s loud and clear:If you don’t stand with Alaskans,You won’t get ranked next year.
Jingle bells, the bycatch swells, the trawlers never slow,We’re down to one, the season’s done, and leaders act like they don’t know.But August brings the jungle vote, and that’s when we’ll make it show If you won’t fight for our fish, then we’ll find someone who will, yo.
Halibut cuts for Christmas,Empty plates and empty seas. Full trawlers in December,But not a salmon left for me.Halibut cuts for Christmas,But our voices won’t freeze up Alaskans first forever Or your ranking number’s up.
Nice try, Francis.
So did they sign that before they knew about the halibut cuts we’re getting for Christmas or after.
I can’t possibly imagine why any native Alaskan would vote for anyone currently in office.
Fisheries should be managed first for indigenous peoples benefit, in order to maintain their culture.
Once it’s gone and forgotten, you’ll be just like any other group. Don’t make it about getting government handouts.