Well how about them apples:
http://juneauempire.com/...
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan said he doesn’t support raising the federal minimum wage but backs a state initiative to raise Alaska’s minimum wage.
Sullivan, in a statement, said Alaskans know best when it comes to strengthening the state’s economy and supporting its workers and businesses. He said continued efforts are also needed to support Alaska’s energy sector, streamline state and federal regulations and make the tax system more competitive.
His position on the state minimum wage was reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Voters in November will decide a ballot measure that would raise Alaska’s minimum wage of $7.75 an hour by $2 over two years and have it adjusted for inflation in subsequent years. - Juneau Empire, 9/16/14
Sounds like a pivot from Tea Party primary Sullivan to general election Sullivan:
http://www.adn.com/...
Sullivan told the Wall Street Journal in a story published Monday that he still opposed a proposal backed by President Barack Obama, a Democrat, to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour -- a measure that’s also backed by Sullivan’s opponent, incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Begich.
A spokesman for Sullivan told the Journal that the candidate's position had changed because he "had a chance to read the minimum wage initiative."
Spokesman Mike Anderson said in a phone interview that he had not discussed Sullivan's original position with the candidate and referred the Alaska Dispatch News to a prepared statement for further explanation of the switch.
“Now, because it is a state-driven initiative, I do support the motion to place a minimum wage question directly to the people of Alaska,” Sullivan was quoted as saying. “And I personally intend to vote for it. We also need to continue with policies that support our state’s energy sector, make our tax system more competitive and streamline state and federal regulations, and I’m proud of my record of working with my fellow Alaskans to do just that.”
In a follow-up phone call, Anderson said Sullivan had switched his position after traveling across the state and talking to Alaskans, but he declined to characterize the information Sullivan had received that led him to change his mind.
Sullivan had previously addressed his opposition to the state initiative at a Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce event in August, where he and two other Republican Party primary candidates were each asked to say how they planned to vote on the three initiatives on the November ballot. Sullivan, along with opponent Joe Miller, said he’d be voting “no” on the minimum-wage question. The third Republican participant, Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell, declined to take a position based on his role overseeing public hearings on the ballot initiatives.
Sullivan had also stated his opposition to a federal measure at least two times, telling The Associated Press in January that "simply raising the minimum wage isn’t an answer; it’s an acknowledgement of President Obama’s broken promises and failed economic policies." - Alaska Dispatch, 9/15/14
Of course Begich called out his bull shit:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Sen. Mark Begich's (D-Alaska) campaign quickly criticized Sullivan's shift, saying it shows he'll "say or do anything" to win.
"From the minimum wage to the Violence Against Women Act, Dan Sullivan won't be honest with Alaskans about what he believes on core issues," said spokesman Max Croes. "Dan Sullivan has always dismissed the needs of Alaska's working families who would benefit from a increase in the federal minimum wage and his most recent attempt to flip-flop proves he'll say or do anything in an attempt to deceive Alaskans. Mark Begich knows the importance of paying workers a fair living wage and remains the only candidate in this election that supports raising the minimum wage and equal pay for equal work."
Begich supports the state minimum wage increase, as well as one on the federal level that would raise the wage from $7.25 to $10.10 an hour. - Huffington Post, 9/16/14
Raising the minimum wage is popular in Alaska and Sullivan is trying to win over those voters who are coming out to the polls to vote for the ballot initiative. Plus I wouldn't doubt that Sullivan saw the Democrats' internal numbers on this race and is nervous:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/...
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Mark Begich has a 5-point lead over Republican Dan Sullivan in Alaska, according to a new poll conducted for a leading Democratic Super PAC.
Forty-five percent of likely voters favorMr. Begich, compared to 40 percent who choose Mr. Sullivan, said the poll taken Sept. 7-10 from Harstad Strategic Research Inc. for Senate Majority PAC. Six percent opt for Libertarian Mark Fish.
Mr. Begich had a 7-point edge in July that narrowed to 1 point in the wake of Mr. Sullivan’s Aug. 19 primary win, according to earlier surveys by the group. - Washington Times, 9/16/14
Again, we can win this race, we just have to get our base out to the polls. Click here to donate and get involved with Begich's campaign:
http://www.markbegich.com/