Healthcare cuts threaten Sullivan’s reelection chances in Alaska

Alaskans have been hit hard by the healthcare cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and lapsed Obamacare subsidies, presenting a prime target for Democrats seeking to oust Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan from office. 

A Democratic ad campaign released late last month accused Sullivan of voting to raise health insurance premiums in Alaska by more than $1,800 on average, referring to his votes against Democratic bills that would have ended the government shutdown in exchange for extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies. 

When former Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola (D) launched her Senate campaign earlier this year, her announcement took a swipe at Sullivan’s support for the GOP mega-bill, pointing to a think tank’s projection that it would take healthcare coverage from millions of Americans. 

Sullivan appears well aware of his vulnerability on the issue. 

In the past month, he has broken with the GOP twice to side with Senate Democrats on health provisions. The Alaska senator voted for an amendment sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), opposing any funding bill that failed to lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Sullivan also voted for another amendment sponsored by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) that will address insurers delaying or denying care. 

Sullivan was also among four GOP senators who broke with the party and voted to extend the Obamacare tax credits late last year, after previously voting against similar measures. The bill did not reach the 60-vote threshold needed to pass. 

“Given how many times he has voted for legislation or amendments that would either reduce healthcare subsidies for Alaskans or otherwise increase healthcare costs, the damage has largely been done,” John-Henry Heckendorn, partner at the cross-partisan campaign management firm Ship Creek Group, said.  

Ship Creek Group worked on Peltola’s first House campaign but isn’t working on her Senate........

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