Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican who publicly endorsed President Donald Trump's military action in Iran, is now soliciting donations from supporters to cover fuel expenses, according to a recent report. The appeal comes as global oil prices have surged dramatically following the conflict.
Fundraising Appeal Amidst Rising Costs
In a May 11 fundraising email with the subject line “Alaska needs you!!”, Sullivan requested grassroots contributions of $3, $5, or $10. The email outlined that the funds would be used for recruiting volunteers, running digital ads, producing informational mailers, and critically, “paying for gas as we visit isolated rural areas of Alaska.”
Sullivan, first elected to the Senate in 2014, emphasized the need to continue what he called “ushering in America's Golden Age and delivering results for Alaska.” The appeal was first reported by Raw Story.
Impact of the Iran War on Fuel Prices
The Iran war, initiated on February 28 and currently under a fragile ceasefire, has led to dueling blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global trade route. Consequently, oil prices have skyrocketed. On Thursday, crude oil hovered around $100 per barrel, while the national average gasoline price reached $4.56 per gallon, up from $2.98 just two days before the war began, according to AAA.
Alaska drivers have been particularly affected, with average gas prices at $5.27 per gallon, compared to $3.63 a year earlier.
Sullivan's Stance on the War
Sullivan has consistently supported the Iran war. Hours after the U.S. and Israel launched the conflict, he told reporters: “I'm not someone that, in general, would support kind of taking out world leaders. But I think these guys… my belief is that they’re less world leaders than terrorists, right?” He also advocated for regime change, stating it would ultimately be up to the Iranian people.
A former Marine who served in Afghanistan, Sullivan voted against war powers resolutions that aimed to limit presidential authority in the Middle East. He has argued that increasing domestic energy production is key to addressing high gas prices, blaming Democrats for hindering oil and gas development.
Political Fallout
Democrats, seeking to unseat Sullivan in the upcoming midterms, have seized on his war stance. In March, a group linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released an ad criticizing Sullivan for voting with party leaders despite the economic pain inflicted on Alaskans.
Recent polls indicate the Iran war remains deeply unpopular. A Siena College survey found that 64 percent of respondents believe the war was the wrong decision.
The Independent has reached out to Sullivan's office for comment.
