Opinion: Do you share my conservative principles? Then 'not Trump' is enough.
Monahan accuses Sullivan of failing to challenge Trump’s conduct and urges voters to replace him.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe Anchorage Daily News is an established regional newspaper, though this page is explicitly an opinion piece rather than independently reported news. The author and publication are identified, but the outlet’s institutional credibility does not establish the accuracy of the article’s claims.
- Source type — Established local newspaper with regional reporting operations.
- Author attribution — The opinion is attributed to Erika Monahan, whose biographical note is included.
- Editorial standards — The page is clearly labeled opinion, distinguishing commentary from straight reporting.
- Transparency — The publication identifies itself and provides information about submitting commentary.
The piece sets out a clear argument and identifies the officials and policies it criticizes, but it is advocacy rather than reported journalism. Many serious claims are asserted without supporting documents, detailed evidence, or responses from the people criticized.
HOW WE SCORE ↗This is openly persuasive commentary that argues for voting against Republicans and for two named Democratic candidates. It offers no meaningful response from the officials criticized or counterargument to its claims.
- Counterarguments presented — No response or competing perspective from Sullivan, Begich, Trump, or Republicans is included.
- Loaded language — The piece repeatedly uses highly charged characterizations of its political targets.
- Opinion vs reporting — The article is explicitly presented as opinion and makes a direct electoral appeal.
- Source diversity — The argument relies on the author’s assertions rather than multiple sources or reported responses.
The piece uses strongly negative language about Trump and Republicans and explicitly endorses two Democratic candidates. Its appeal to conservative principles does not offset its clear anti-Trump, anti-Republican framing.
- Language tone — Uses charged descriptions including “spineless,” “grifter,” and “lawlessness” for Republican officials and Trump.
- Framing — Frames Republican governance as a betrayal of conservative and constitutional principles.
- Headline — The headline argues that opposition to Trump is sufficient grounds for conservatives to act.
Erika Monahan argues that Alaska Republicans Dan Sullivan and Nicholas Begich have failed to check President Trump and urges voters to elect Mary Peltola and Bill Hill. Her opinion piece presents “not Trump” as sufficient reason for conservatives to vote against Republicans.
Monahan argues that the Supreme Court’s handling of Trump’s White House ballroom and congressional Republicans’ inaction show a failure to uphold the rule of law. She accuses Sullivan and Begich of not holding Trump accountable, including over the Iran conflict and what she describes as violations of the Emoluments Clause.
She says conservative principles include limited government, individual liberty, lawful government and accountability, and argues that Republican policies and Trump’s actions conflict with those principles. She criticizes the 2025 Republican bill and Trump’s trade and military policies, then endorses Mary Peltola for Senate and Bill Hill for the U.S. House.
Community verdict
15 VOTESPeople in this story
SWIPE →President whose actions and conduct Monahan criticizes
Trump's version of this story ↗Alaska representative criticized for not holding Trump accountable
Begich's version of this story ↗House candidate endorsed by Monahan
Senate candidate endorsed by Monahan
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