Sullivan touts Alaska roots in new ad

Alaska Senate candidate Dan Sullivan (R) touts his Alaska roots in his newest TV ad, pushing back against attacks that he’s a carpetbagger.

{mosads}The ad begins with Sullivan’s Alaska Native wife touting the thousands of years her family has been in the region before talking of their wedding in the state two decades ago. Sullivan then talks about his work “getting things done that have benefitted the middle class” in the state.

Sullivan grew up in Ohio, moved to Alaska when the two got married, then left for a stint in the Bush administration before returning to the state late last decade. Both Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) and Sullivan’s primary opponent, Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell (R), have accused him of being a carpet-bagger, and a super-PAC backing Begich has aired many TV ads attacking his credibility as an Alaskan.

The ad signals that Sullivan’s campaign still sees those attacks as a threat and is looking to respond by boosting his positive image and show he’s an authentic local.