President Donald Trump spoke at a rally in Wasilla on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center. During the event, he announced his endorsement of Republican Alaska gubernatorial candidate Bernadette Wilson in the four-way race to replace term-limited Governor Mike Dunleavy. Polls indicate Wilson and two other Republicans – Dave Bronson and Treg Taylor – are trailing the lone Democratic candidate, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
Trump also urged Alaskans to vote for a ballot measure repealing Alaska’s current elections system and encouraged support for incumbent Republicans U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and U.S. Rep. Nick Begich III. The rally marked Trump’s third visit to the Matanuska-Susitna region and was part of a nationwide campaign. He was in Ohio on Monday and planned to be in Nevada and Arizona on Wednesday, with other stops in Montana and Georgia that week.
In 90 minutes of remarks, Trump emphasized his goal of motivating Republicans to turn out at the midterms. He said, “Pretend that I’m on the ballot because here’s what happens. Every time I’ve been on the ballot, we win.”
Nationally, polls show Republicans are trailing in key elections that may determine control of the U.S. House and Senate. Polls indicate Begich is ahead of Democratic Party-backed independent Bill Hill in a four-way race that also includes imprisoned Democrat Eric Hafner and Libertarian Jim McDermott. Sullivan is in a tight race against Democratic challenger Mary Peltola in a four-way election that also includes Dan J. Sullivan of Petersburg and Republican candidate Gerald Heikes. Polling indicates Peltola holds a small lead.
Among voters in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, where the rally took place, Trump had a positive rating, with 44% of voters approving and 43% disapproving. “You are here in the heart of Republican Alaska,” Sullivan told the President.
Trump arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Tuesday afternoon before taking a helicopter to Wasilla’s airport and a car to the nearby Menard Center. He was met by a cheering crowd that filled the Menard Center’s seats before returning to his helicopter and an eventual flight to Las Vegas. The Menard Center has a capacity of about 3,500 people, and some potential attendees were turned away at the door for lack of space.
Trump was interrupted about 10 minutes into his remarks by a protester who was rapidly rushed out of the rally by security. Away from the Menard Center, Trump opponents held protests and Democrats organized counterprogramming away from the Republican-focused event.
Other events took place Tuesday morning in Anchorage. Alaska Republican governor candidate Treg Taylor talked with reporters at the Menard Center.
