Dr. Al Gross, MPH, is an Independent candidate, a retired orthopedic surgeon, and former commercial fisherman who was born and raised in Juneau. His family have been active players in Alaska’s recent political history, as his father was the state’s attorney general and his mother founded the state chapter of the League of Women Voters. He has served in several leadership positions in his professional career, and, as a scientist, he has a special interest in climate change and public health.

Competitive  Gross has taken positions on the pandemic, healthcare, women’s rights, and climate change that resonate with Alaskans. His virtual town hall on COVID-19 attracted over 20,000 participants.

Since announcing, Gross has raised $4.6 million and narrowed his opponent’s cash-on-hand advantage to $2.15 million.

Alaska’s Republican governor has implemented the same failed fiscal policies of Gov. Sam Brownback in Kansas and Gov. Scott Walker in Wisconsin, and he’s brought about the same failed result. These regressive, ideologically driven budget cuts resulted in a widespread backlash against the GOP and instigated a recall campaign. Currently, the COVID-19 outbreak has devastated the three pillars of the Alaska economy: oil production, tourism, and fisheries. Alaskans are ready to replace a hard-core Republican with a senator who understands Alaska, public health, and the needs of small business. 

Recent polling shows that when Alaskans know of Gross they prefer him 56%-36%. Even with 72% of the electorate having not heard of him, he trails Sen. Dan Sullivan by the small margin of 5%.    

Compatible  In 2013, Gross left his medical practice to get a master’s of public health, which makes him a timely candidate as we face the ongoing challenges of COVID-19. He believes everyone should have access to quality, affordable healthcare and that the best path to universal coverage is a public option to allow individuals and small groups to buy into Medicare at cost. His wife, Dr. Monica Gross, is a well-known pediatrician who is also active in public health. They are supporters of women’s reproductive rights and unfettered access to health services.

Not surprisingly, combating climate change is an important element of Gross’s platform. As a senator from a gas and oil state but on the side of clean energy and climate action, he will be a powerful advocate in Washington. Alaska is the ideal state to blaze the path toward a reduced reliance on fossil fuels with its robust offerings of alternative energy assets: wind, tidal, geothermal, and summertime solar. Like many Alaskans struggling with economic challenges, Gross does see a role for oil exploration in limited areas of the Arctic Refuge if it includes strong environmental safeguards.

In Bristol Bay, Pebble Mine Company is working hand-in-glove with President Trump’s administration to secure permits to build one of the world’s largest open-pit mines right next to the world’s largest salmon hatchery. A project long opposed by previous administrations because of the irreparable damage it could pose to the environment, the local economy, and the livelihood of Alaska Natives, Trump’s EPA recently reversed a position taken by the Obama administration and on July 24 the Army Corps of Engineers followed suit. Gross has come out against the project, but Sullivan has remained silent on the matter. Should Gross be elected, he would demand the protection of Bristol Bay through agency and congressional actions. 

Gross supports comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to legal status for undocumented persons who have not committed any crime other than crossing the border. He also has placed a priority on protecting DACA recipients.

Cost-Effective  Alaska is a state where Trump won with 51% of the vote. It is slightly more favorable terrain than Montana, where Trump won with 56% of the vote. Earlier this spring, national Democratic donors quickly recognized the opportunity they had in Montana and helped Gov. Bullock raise almost $11.6 million to date. 

A similar effort can help Gross build on his $4.6 million in fundraising to quickly reach the $8 million he anticipates needing. This will be one of cheapest Senate campaigns because of its small media market: $1 million is a six-week media buy for all of Alaska as compared to a two-week media buy for just the city of Dallas. 

Select Endorsements

• The Lincoln Project

• Andrew Yang

• Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

• End Citizens United

• Jewish Democratic Council of America

• Planned Parenthood

• Communication Workers of America

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades