Alaskan Senator’s Campaign Spending on Luxury Hotels Under Scrutiny
Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska has utilized over $1.5 million in campaign funds for luxury hotel stays and upscale dining, raising questions about his spending habits, as outlined in his financial disclosures.
While federal regulations permit the use of campaign finances for meals and travel linked to official duties, these expenses must not be for personal indulgence.
The contentious spending spans nearly Sullivan’s entire tenure in the Senate, from 2015 to his ongoing reelection bid. He is currently campaigning for a third term, facing expected competition from former Representative Mary Peltola.
Three key entities have facilitated this spending: Alaskans for Dan Sullivan, his main campaign committee; Sullivan Victory, a joint fundraising body associated with his Senate efforts; and True North PAC, which Sullivan leads to support other Republican candidates.
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, these organizations collectively expended $65,847 on dining and accommodation, with approximately 92% occurring outside Alaska. Notable expenditures include a $3,500 stay at the Four Seasons resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
In 2025, Sullivan’s associated groups spent $333,291 on lodging, meals, and catering, significantly exceeding the $164,936 spent in 2024.
Over the years, Sullivan’s campaign has frequently selected hotels renowned for their golfing facilities. In April, the Alaska Democrats issued a press release highlighting this expenditure pattern.
“While we’re paying $5 for a gallon of gas, choosing between paying for groceries or health care, and struggling to afford housing, Self-Serving Sullivan has literally been wining and dining Lower 48 special interest donors at luxurious golf resorts,” stated Eric Croft, Chair of the Alaska Democratic Party.
One example is the La Quinta Resort & Club in Palm Springs, California, where Sullivan’s entities have recorded 24 transactions totaling $160,737 for accommodations, dining, and event spaces. Though typically a mid-range chain, this location is a luxurious resort boasting five golf courses, expansive rose gardens, and private swimming pools, famously hosting season 16 of The Bachelorette.
From 2022 to 2025, Sullivan’s groups have reported over $151,000 in spending on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, primarily at the Kiawah Golf Resort, the venue for the 2021 PGA Championship.
Bloomberg News reported in October 2025 that Sullivan co-hosted a fundraiser on Kiawah Island with Arkansas Senator John Boozman during a government shutdown. Boozman is known as an enthusiastic golfer.
Earlier this year, Sullivan’s groups spent $21,000 at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, which features a golf course by renowned designer Phil Smith. The resort also offers a lavish three-story spa and is a favorite among celebrities.
The Phoenician’s room rates can reach up to $9,500 per night.
Between 2019 and 2025, Sullivan’s entities reported $2,441 in expenditures at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach, which features an oceanside golf course near former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.
These lavish expenses contrast with Sullivan’s portrayal of a working-class image, often appearing at campaign events in work boots and a Carhartt jacket, as seen in a tweet.
Quiver Quantitative estimates Sullivan’s net worth at $8.4 million.
