Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin publicly rebuked Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) in a social media video Tuesday, accusing the Republican senator of failing to stand up to Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and doing too little to dismantle Alaska‘s ranked-choice voting system as he seeks reelection under the same rules this year.
“Dan, I appointed you Alaska’s attorney general, thus propelling you to the U.S. Senate,” Palin said. “With me opening the door for you was the expectation that you do what’s right for this great state.”
Attention @SenDanSullivan #Murkowski #SaveAmericaAct #RankedChoiceVoting #Palin #SarahPalin
Election Integrity https://t.co/wqvwytn6FG pic.twitter.com/OF50hTN28Q
— Sarah Palin (@SarahPalinUSA) July 21, 2026
Palin accused Sullivan of repeatedly deferring to Murkowski, whom she blamed for Alaska’s election system.
“Instead, you’ve hidden behind a skirt,” Palin said. “You sat by and watched the Murkowski ranked-choice voting process of elimination scheme give Alaska’s congressional seat to a Democrat. You’ve done nothing to rid us of RCV because it’s Lisa’s baby, and so it continues.”
Palin also criticized Sullivan for not speaking out more forcefully in favor of the SAVE America Act, legislation backed by President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans that would require documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.
“The Save America Act provides the election integrity Lisa can’t afford to support, and you again say nothing,” Palin said. “America cannot afford you continuing to hide behind Lisa’s skirt. It’s time to stand up, speak out, do your job, implement the will of the people. Don’t be intimidated by Lisa.”
The comments come as Sullivan is running for a third Senate term in what Democrats hope will become a competitive race against former Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK). Like all statewide candidates in Alaska, Sullivan must compete under the state’s open primary — in which the top four candidates advance to the general election regardless of party — and ranked-choice voting system, an election format that has become one of the most divisive issues in Alaska politics.
Palin has remained one of ranked-choice voting’s most outspoken critics since her 2022 loss in the special election for Alaska’s at-large House seat. Although she advanced to the final round of counting, Peltola ultimately prevailed after second- and third-choice votes were redistributed, a result Palin has long argued would not have occurred under a traditional plurality election.
Alaska voters narrowly approved ranked-choice voting and a top-four primary system through a 2020 ballot initiative. Supporters argue the system rewards candidates who can build broad coalitions across the electorate, while critics contend it is confusing and disadvantages Republicans by splitting conservative votes.
JUDGE RULES DAN SULLIVAN CAN APPEAR ON ALASKA PRIMARY BALLOT AGAINST SEN. DAN SULLIVAN
Murkowski has consistently defended ranked-choice voting and has credited it with encouraging candidates to appeal beyond their partisan base. Palin has repeatedly blamed the system for electing Democrats and has called for its repeal.
The issue is likely to remain front and center throughout Sullivan’s reelection campaign. Alaska voters are expected to decide this November whether to keep or repeal ranked-choice voting. Voters rejected a similar referendum that would have killed ranked-choice voting in 2024 by a margin of less than a point.
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[ H/T Washington Examiner ]
