On infrastructure, jobs and economic strength, Alaska’s junior senator has produced outcomes that go beyond politics.
Updated: 16 minutes agoSen. Dan Sullivan speaks at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce “Make It Monday” luncheon at the Dena’ina Convention Center on Nov. 24, 2025. I have spent my life building in Alaska: businesses, properties, jobs and opportunities.
When you spend your time actually trying to build something in this state, you develop a practical view of leadership. You learn quickly that slogans do not build roads, outrage does not create jobs and political theater does not make Alaska stronger. Results do.Alaska cannot afford leaders who are all talk and no delivery. We are too far away, too expensive to operate in, too dependent on infrastructure and too strategically important to be represented by people who mistake noise for accomplishment. What happens in Washington has real and immediate consequences here at home. It affects our economy, our industries, our communities and our families. Dan Sullivan has shown that he understands that, and more importantly, he has shown that he can produce results. One of the clearest examples came during the crisis facing Alaska’s tourism economy when Canada’s COVID restrictions effectively blocked cruise traffic. That was not some abstract political debate. It was a direct threat to jobs, businesses and families across Alaska. Communities were staring at another devastating lost season. Sullivan helped get thepassed, which created a path for cruise ships to return and helped protect livelihoods across the state. That mattered in a real way. He has also delivered in another area that is absolutely essential to Alaska: aviation. In much of the country, aviation is viewed as convenience. In Alaska, it is basic infrastructure. It connects communities, supports commerce, delivers supplies and saves lives. Sullivan’s work to secure federal investment through the matters because improvements in weather systems, communications and rural aviation infrastructure make Alaska safer and stronger. That may not generate headlines in the Lower 48, but it matters deeply here.from entering U.S. markets through third countries helped protect Alaska fishermen from unfair competition. His support for resolving Alaska Native Vietnam-era veterans’ land allotments addressed a long overdue issue of fairness. These are not symbolic gestures. They are tangible outcomes.More broadly, Sullivan has consistently backed policies that strengthen Alaska’s long-term economic foundation. He has supported responsible resource development, critical minerals, military investment and policies that help prevent even greater tax and cost burdens on Alaska families and small businesses. In a state where federal decisions can either open doors or shut them, that matters. For me, though, this is not just about what Sullivan has already done. It is about what Alaska still needs to do next. We need more housing. We need stronger roads, ports, aviation systems and energy infrastructure. We need to treat the Arctic like the strategic priority it is. We need a stronger military and Coast Guard presence. We need responsible resource development. And we need to reduce the crushing costs of energy, transportation and doing business that make it harder for families to stay here and harder for businesses to grow here. This is not about ideology. It is about whether Alaska is going to build and grow, or whether we are going to drift and fall behind.If we want young families, entrepreneurs, investors and workers to choose Alaska, then we need leadership that understands the scale of the challenge and knows how to get real things done. I do not expect perfection from any elected official. But I do expect seriousness, effort and measurable results. Dan Sullivan has shown that he can deliver for Alaska. And in my view, he has earned the opportunity to keep doing it.is a real estate entrepreneur, commercial general contractor and managing member of multiple Alaska-based companies, including Jewel Isaac, LLC. He has led development projects across the state, building businesses and revitalizing infrastructure. He serves on the University of Alaska Board of Regents and is the founder of the “Fairbanks, Alaska” Facebook group, the largest online community in the Fairbanks area. His work bridges business, civic leadership and community impact.The Anchorage Daily News welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email
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