Alaska Democrats appear to have found their challenger in the 2026 US Senate race. Ann Diener, a Democrat and newspaper sales executive at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, filed to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, who has served since being elected in 2014.
Diener moved to Alaska in 2021 and was involved in Democratic politics through the unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Les Gara in 2022. With no other Democrat yet stepping forward and no signs of a late entry from former Rep. Mary Peltola, who is currently tied up in a lawsuit involving the death of her husband Buzzy, Diener looks to be the party’s default standard-bearer.
On her campaign website, Diener emphasizes themes of economic development and community-building. “We need to work hard to serve Alaskans and those who move to our state,” she writes, adding that Alaska must “create win-wins and care about creating flourishing local communities” amid concerns over population decline.
However, parts of Diener’s biography stand out for their unusual tone. She describes her political experience as including an effort to “defeat the overlord who had attempted to harm my planet” and claims to have stopped an attack on “our start (sic) system.” She often refers to herself as “we.”
In a section titled “Biography of Our Work for Sovereignty,” she pledges to uphold “Constitutionalism with Oversight against all Malfeasance.”
In comments about her political role models, Diener lists former US Sen. Dianne Feinstein (misspelled as “Diane” on her website), while also promoting a platform that mixes traditional Democrat priorities like workers’ rights and housing with a broad focus on foreign policy and energy. She also advocates for increased tourism promotion and attracting outside talent to Alaska. She claims to have vast foreign policy experience.
On her Ballotpedia profile she says, “We need to improve our state and encourage people to see that Alaska has a thriving future. This is something that is currently not happening, and it is time to elect someone with fresh eyes on the challenges we face. Coming from California, where we faced overdevelopment I stood against, I can work for Alaskans to encourage positive growth with constituents interest in mind. I will encourage direct communication and put your needs first. My goal is to engage everyone in an interactive way online, in person and over the phone.”
Her website features photos of protest signs, such as one that says, “No Justice No Peace.”
Diener has never run for elected office before and her professional background is in advertising sales. She was born in Colorado and got a college degree from San Diego State University, according to Ballotpedia, where she has completed the candidate profile and survey. She has a campaign website, a Facebook page, a campaign page on X, and some other social media tie downs.
Barring a last-minute entrant, Diener will face Sen. Sullivan, who is seeking his third term. The Alaska Democratic Party has yet to formally endorse a candidate, but Diener’s early filing in December 2024 and lack of alternatives suggest she may be their nominee by default.
If she comes here from California, why did she leave? Look under the hood before you accept this person as a someone good for this state. What did they contribute to the State they left?
From Mystery Land to the U.S. Senate for Alaska. No ticket punching through Alaskan politics. No known history.
No, thanks…………..
Fitting for Ds…. 🤢🤮
ANOTHER NEWSMINER CUCK!
Another socialist Californi-ite!1.No thanks.
I thought Poltela was running? Or is she the Socialist pick for Govenor?
Petola has her hands full, trying to sue for her husband’s death..
Let’s bring back the “Bear-Doctor”. He was great. I assume he is tanned, ready and rested in Santa Barbara.
Was not happy under Democrat rule in CA, comes to AK and wants to ruin it. These people are not only idiots with little to no moral compass, they are a danger to the health of the Republic. Run them out of town, your not welcome here in Alaska, frankly in this country. Thier beliefs match nothing representative of this country’s founding documents or ideals. Godless, socialists with a desire to eliminate personal freedoms.
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
No way this loser is a real candidate.
Well, glad she’s willing to take time off from her mission to fight the ‘galactic overlords’ or whatever. Where does the left find these people?
Sweet Baby Jeezus! She looks like road-kill. She ain’t a looker, that’s for sure!
Rush Limbaugh said that feminism was created to allow unattractive women to advance. The most important issue is not what lies on the surface but underneath. Alaska has been quasi-socialist for years, especially with the pipeline. Free goodies attract a lot of people. Also, people come to Alaska to find something or run away from something. Quite the mix.
She is accepting donations through ActBlue, red flag!
Marxist from Cali who refers to herself as “we”?
“defeat the overlord who had attempted to harm my planet” WOW she sounds like a true dimlibby nut-job, send that fool back to california!
Well, why wouldn’t we want someone who’s been in Alaska for 4 years representing us in the Senate?
Please, continue to advertise that you came from CA, Peltola 2.0!
I don’t see how democrats in our great state could even get behind her. Feinstein as a role model, and opening up to other newcomers. Sounds like she’s very socialist. Not democrat
Another Democrat thinking they can turn Alaska blue, Only been here 4 years And thinks she is Worthy? Not going to happen
“Coming from California, where we faced overdevelopment I stood against”….High Speed Rail, Low cost housing for burned out Pacific Palisades, 15 minute cities… which over development….. building around Malibu or Marin County? Quick learner to pick up on Alaska history and politics. How many decompression trips to Hawaii in these last 4 years?
A Democrat from California….no thank you !!!
Her website features photos of protest signs, such as one that says, “No Justice No Peace.”
Not bad; but, I do recommend uprooting trees that don’t produce. You know, no free rides.
Good to hear this Sally come lately is running for one of premier political positions in Alaska. Maybe she solicit the “Geriatric No King People” along with “Penis People” to campaign for her.
They are all of same mindset.
So a nobody with no name recognition or accomplishments. Nothing but the (D), but for leftists, that is enough.
Of course she just moved up here from California…
‘http://anndiener.com/defeating-the-aliens-who-came-here-in-1999/
LMAO
Now we know why the Newsminer is a
looney tune left-wing rag with many other names used by subscribed readers. Never heard of this woman, but with Trump involved she is going to end up at the bottom of the bird cage along with her newspaper.
Since she refers to herself as a we, WE then know she must be:
1. LGBTQ corrected, probably lesbian, or worse;
2. Schizophrenic with multiple personalities;
3. Both.
Another Left Coast Marxist carpetbagger.
Damn, this state is FULL of them!
By the way, Suzanne, how do you know that this person is really a woman (the photograph of they/them/zhey/zhem is completely unhelpful in that regard). Are you a credentialed doctor or biologist?
Jefferson, I had not thought about that since she refers to herself as a “we.” Thank you for raising the question. – sd
Wonder if Gara regrets bringing this woman up who will only hurt the Alaska Dem party?
I’m originally from CA. Left to find a work in Texas. Never looked back, other than to see family. California is only useful as and example of what NOT to do. Where I lived, there was a very ” connected” family of the last name ” Diener”they considered themselves to be nobillity, kinda like Murkowskis, only with less to show for it. Not as successful in embezzlement from the public. Wonder if this is one of them