2020 Alaska US Senate Voters Guide

Al Gross (I) vs Dan Sullivan (R)

US Senate | Election | Nov 10, 2020

The Candidates

Al Gross

Al Gross

Independent

Dan Sullivan

Dan Sullivan

Republican

The Issues

Affordable Care Act

Support Obamacare (ACA) and/or expansion of Medicaid and Medicare?

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Budget Cutbacks

Support Gov. Dunleavy’s cutbacks to Marine Highway system, University of Alaska, and other state programs to shift money to Permanent Fund dividend?

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Campaign Finance

Support Citizens United and unlimited corporate political contributions?

Dan Sullivan (R)

Yes. Supported Citizens United, while proposing to reject “outside money” in 2014 Senate race.

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Environment

Support development of major gold and copper Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay?

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Financial Regulation

Tighten or loosen regulation of banks and credit card companies?

Al Gross (I)

No position found.

Dan Sullivan (R)

Loosen. Co-sponsored 2019 act to weaken Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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Immigration

Path to citizenship for DACA recipients, or “DREAMers” brought to the U.S. as children?

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Iran

Prohibit military attacks on Iran without congressional approval? Support Trump’s withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal.

Al Gross (I)
Dan Sullivan (R)

No on requiring congressional approval for attacks. Voted against February 2020 measure that would have required this. Supported withdrawal from “fundamentally flawed” Iran nuclear deal.

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LGBTQ Rights

Support Gay Marriage and other LGBTQ Rights?

Dan Sullivan (R)

No. Has opposed same sex marriage. Sponsored 2015 act that would prevent government sanctions against contractors whose religious beliefs led them to discriminate against LGTBQ couples.

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Minimum Wage

Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25?

Dan Sullivan (R)
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Planned Parenthood

Can Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion-related care?

Al Gross (I)

Likely yes. Planned Parenthood endorses as someone “who believes health care decisions are between a patient and their doctor.”

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Saudi Arabia

Block arms sales to Saudi Arabia?

Al Gross (I)

No position found.

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Student Financial Aid

Support free or subsidized tuition for lower-income individuals?

Dan Sullivan (R)

No position found.

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Taxes

Position on Measure 1 to increase taxes on oil production? Supported Trump administration’s $1.9 trillion tax cuts?

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Al Gross

independent Party

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Dan Sullivan

republican Party

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Al Gross

independent

Dan Sullivan

republican

See guides.vote for online guides with links & sources https://dralgrossak.com/ https://dansullivanforalaska.com/
Affordable Care Act

Support Obamacare (ACA) and/or expansion of Medicaid and Medicare?

Yes. Running because Sullivan voted repeatedly to scrap the ACA. Favors offering public option, though not Medicare for all, and focusing more on addressing costs.No. Supported repeal of the ACA and eliminating the requirement for individuals to enroll in health insurance.
Budget Cutbacks

Support Gov. Dunleavy’s cutbacks to Marine Highway system, University of Alaska, and other state programs to shift money to Permanent Fund dividend?

No. “Ferries play such an integral role in the way of life in Southeast Alaska, and defunding them threatens the prosperity and health of our coastal communities and villages.”Has declined to comment on specific cuts, like Marine Highway system, but would prioritize the dividend. “One thing I have learned about government is that it will spend every dime you give it, justify it, and ask for more.” Supported including ferry system in federal transportation funding.
Campaign Finance

Support Citizens United and unlimited corporate political contributions?

No. “I will fight to end Citizens United and get dark money out of politics.”Yes. Supported Citizens United, while proposing to reject “outside money” in 2014 Senate race.
Climate Change

Consider human-caused climate change a serious threat?

Yes. “With a background in science, I know what a serious threat climate change is to the state of Alaska, where we are literally losing villages to the ocean.”Mixed. Unclear if human-caused. Both threat and benefit. “Climate change … in Alaska … is opening up opportunities”: more fishing, commerce and shipping as sea ice recedes. But melting permafrost harms roads.
COVID-19

Support administration’s response to coronavirus pandemic?

No. Trump “lost months of preparedness that will be paid for in American lives.” “The federal government has failed promoting an organized national response.”  Also felt Alaska fishermen left out of COVID economic response.Yes. Praised Trump’s COVID task force, though said country needed to “get focused” on more testing. Praises investment in vaccines. On CARES Act, said he fought for inclusion of aid to fishermen.
Courts

Pick Ruth Bader Ginsburg replacement now or let November winner choose?

“We both know it is only fair to the American people to wait until they are able to cast their ballots in November.” Trump is “well within his constitutional authority” to nominate someone to fill the U.S. Supreme Court vacancy. In 2016 said “Alaskans deserve to have a voice in that direction through their vote.”
Environment

Support development of major gold and copper Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay?

No. Early opponent. Calls Pebble Mine “the epicenter of crony capitalism,” the “single greatest threat to our Alaska wild salmon” and an “act of cultural genocide against Alaska Native peoples in Bristol Bay.” Alaska Democratic Party has opposed the mine.Unclear. Has said he would support if adequate permitting process endorsed it. Opposed Obama administration’s “preemptive veto of the project,” and supported Trump EPA’s repeal of Obama Clean Power Plan, removing a major obstacle. Alaska Republican Party supports the mine.
Financial Regulation

Tighten or loosen regulation of banks and credit card companies?

No position found.Loosen. Co-sponsored 2019 act to weaken Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Gun Control

Enact more restrictive legislation on guns?

No. Is pro-gun rights. Opposes assault weapons ban.No. “Instead of infringing on Americans’ constitutional rights, we can work harder to enforce existing laws and keep guns out of the hands of those with mental illness.” 
Immigration

Path to citizenship for DACA recipients, or “DREAMers” brought to the U.S. as children?

Yes. Will place a priority on protecting DACA recipients.Mixed. Supported Trump proposal offering DACA recipients path to citizenship in return for major border wall funding and major cuts in legal immigration.  
Iran

Prohibit military attacks on Iran without congressional approval? Support Trump’s withdrawal from Iran nuclear deal.

No position found on military attacks. Opposed withdrawal from nuclear deal: “Go back to the table with them and negotiate … rather than just unilaterally pull out of a pre-arranged agreement.”No on requiring congressional approval for attacks. Voted against February 2020 measure that would have required this. Supported withdrawal from “fundamentally flawed” Iran nuclear deal.
Legal Abortion

Keep legal or ban?

Legal. “I’ll defend a woman’s right to choose, and fight attacks on safe, affordable reproductive health care.”Highly restrict. “Life begins at conception and we must fight to protect the lives of the unborn.” Ban abortions after 20 weeks.
LGBTQ Rights

Support Gay Marriage and other LGBTQ Rights?

Yes.  “As a doctor, I worked for the health and well-being of my patients regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. As a senator, I will do the same.”No. Has opposed same sex marriage. Sponsored 2015 act that would prevent government sanctions against contractors whose religious beliefs led them to discriminate against LGTBQ couples.
Minimum Wage

Raise federal hourly minimum wage above current $7.25?

Yes. Says good-paying jobs in Alaska start “by raising the minimum wage and defending collective bargaining rights for our workers and unions.”Unclear. In 2014 changed position to support increasing state minimum wage by $2 an hour, but said he opposed federal minimum wages. In 2019 opposed $15-an-hour wage.
Planned Parenthood

Can Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion-related care?

Likely yes. Planned Parenthood endorses as someone “who believes health care decisions are between a patient and their doctor.”No. Voted to defund Planned Parenthood in 2015. Has continued to support defunding Planned Parenthood.
Saudi Arabia

Block arms sales to Saudi Arabia?

No position found.No. Voted against senate measure to block sale of precision bombs to Saudi Arabia.
Student Financial Aid

Support free or subsidized tuition for lower-income individuals?

Likely yes. “I will fight to make college more affordable and accessible for all Alaskans.”No position found.
Taxes

Position on Measure 1 to increase taxes on oil production? Supported Trump administration’s $1.9 trillion tax cuts?

Supports Measure 1. No position found on Trump tax cuts.Opposes Measure 1. Keep the structure of SB 21, which Sullivan helped create as incentive for oil production. Voted yes on Trump tax cuts and Jobs Act.

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