Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican who supported President Donald Trump's military action in Iran, has sent a fundraising email asking supporters for donations to cover fuel costs, according to a report. The email, sent on May 11, requested contributions of $3, $5, or $10, stating the money would be used for recruiting volunteers, running digital ads, and paying for gas to visit rural areas of Alaska.
The request comes as global oil prices have surged following the Iran war, which began on February 28 and is currently under a fragile ceasefire. The conflict has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to higher fuel costs. As of Thursday, the national average for a gallon of gasoline stood at $4.56, up from $2.98 before the war, while Alaska drivers face an average of $5.27 per gallon, compared to $3.63 a year earlier.
Sullivan, a former Marine who served in Afghanistan, voiced strong support for the war shortly after it began, describing Iranian leaders as “terrorists” and backing regime change. He also voted against war powers resolutions aimed at limiting presidential authority in the Middle East. In an April interview, Sullivan blamed Democrats for hindering domestic energy production, which he argues would help lower gas prices.
Democrats seeking to unseat Sullivan in the midterms have highlighted his stance on the Iran war. A March ad linked to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Sullivan for voting with party leaders despite the impact on Alaskans. Recent polls show the war remains deeply unpopular, with 64 percent of respondents in a Siena College survey saying it was the wrong decision.
