Alaskans Grow Cold On The Economy, Trump and More

President Trump is Underwater in Alaska

President Trump is underwater in a state he won by 13 points in 2024. His net favorability sits at -5 (52% favorable – 47% unfavorable) and net approval of handling his job as president is -14 (43% approve – 57% disapprove). Half (49%) of Alaskans strongly disapprove of Trump’s handling of the job, nearly double the 24% who strongly approve. Independents are especially down on Trump, with three-in-four (75%) holding an unfavorable view. 

Trump earns especially low marks for his handling of the economy, with three-in-five Alaskans (59%) disapproving, including 50% who strongly disapprove as well as 80% of independents. Similarly, 58% disapprove of his handling of the Iran war, including 51% who strongly disapprove.

Alaskans Want Their Electeds to Put Shared Values Over Partisanship

More than any of the expanded battleground states we surveyed, Alaskans want elected representatives to align with their values regardless of political party. Eight-in-10 Alaskans (81%) prioritize shared values over sharing the same political party. Blind partisan loyalty is a clear concern as 35% of Alaskans, a plurality, say the most concerning policy action their elected representative could take is being blindly loyal to Trump and doing what he says even if it’s worse for Alaska.

When it comes to their current electeds, more Alaskans (49%) do not think Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) shares their values than the 40% who say he does. They do not see him bringing needed change (56% doesn’t describe him well – 30% describes well) which is especially relevant as 60% of Alaskans think our current economic system needs major changes or to be torn down completely. Additionally, Alaskans don’t see Sen. Sullivan as fighting inflation (54% doesn’t describe him well – 29% describes well) or standing up to corruption (54% doesn’t describe him well – 31% describes well).

Half of Alaskans Blame Trump and Republicans for Rising Costs

Nearly seven-in-10 Alaskans (67%) rate the U.S. economy negatively, including 31% who rate it “poor.” Only 2% say the economy is “excellent.” 

By an 11-point margin, Alaskans say Trump and Republicans in Congress are more to blame than Democrats for rising costs: 48% blame Trump and Republicans in Congress compared to only 37% who blame Democrats in Congress. Nearly half of the constituents in The Last Frontier say corporate greed and price gouging (41% top two) are the main non-political culprits for high prices, followed by the Iran War (38% top two).

Alaskans Aren’t Getting What They Want from Washington 

Neither party is seen as focused on Alaskans’ top issues, which are inflation (41%), jobs and the economy (40%), government corruption (38%), government spending and debt (32%), and healthcare (31%). 

About one-in-four Alaskans see Democrats in Congress focused on healthcare (27%) and inflation (22%) compared to just 3% and 11%, respectively, who say Trump and Republicans are focused on these issues. This shows a major gap between what Alaskans want political parties and elected officials to focus on and what they perceive them to be doing. 

Alaskans Concerned By Actions from Washington 

When informed about recent actions taken or considered by Members of Congress, 69% said creating a taxpayer-funded slush fund that would give members of Congress a half a million dollar payout is a serious concern and the highest level of concern of all policies tested. 53% are concerned by spending billions on the war with Iran. Other top concerns include: 

• Supported one of the biggest tax increases in history on goods, like cars and medicine – 52%
• Refused to ban pesticides that pollute water – 57% concerned 
• Supported by big Pharma and the health care industry – 52%
• Ended tax credits that help working people and small businesses pay for health insurance, driving up premiums by 114% – 51% concerned

On Alaska-Specific Issues, Views Of Which Party to Trust Are Mixed With Many Trusting Neither Or Both  

On action especially relevant to Alaskans, views are mixed with Republicans having a clear advantage on increasing drilling for oil and gas. Democrats have an advantage on reining in the influence of corporate fisheries and protecting Alaska’s fishing industry, but many people don’t trust either party or say they trust both.  

• Increasing drilling for oil and gas in Alaska (63% trust Republicans, 11% trust Democrats, 21% neither or both)
• Reining in the influence of corporate fisheries (32% trust Democrats, 24% trust Republicans, 32% neither or both)
• Protecting Alaska’s fishing industry (33% trust Democrats, 30% trust Republicans, 31% neither or both)

Alaskans are Skeptical of Either Party Delivering for Them 

Neither party has a clear advantage on Alaskans’ top priorities – lowering costs and taking on corruption in government. Alaskans trust Republicans slightly more than Democrats on handling the economy (42% trust Republicans – 38% trust Democrats) and lowering costs (39% trust Republicans – 35% trust Democrats). And Alaskans are split on who they trust more to take on corruption (32% trust Republicans – 31% trust Democrats), but a plurality (37%) don’t trust either party to tackle the issue.

Democrats have a trust advantage with Alaskans on protecting abortion (54% trust Democrats – 22% trust Republicans), healthcare costs, (46% trust Democrats – 32% trust Republicans), keeping people healthy, (42% trust Democrats – 38% trust Republicans), and protecting Social Security, (49% trust Democrats – 24% trust Republicans). 

Republicans have an advantage on border security (53% trust Republicans – 27% trust Democrats) and immigration (49% trust Republicans – 38% trust Democrats). 

But Alaskans are pessimistic on elected officials delivering for them. When it comes to keeping promises, a plurality of 38% do not trust either party to deliver.