Republican · Alaska Senate · 2026
Gerald “Tap” Heikes
Heikes, known as Tap, comes to the race from the construction business.
Biography
Gerald “Tap” Heikes comes to the Senate race from the construction trades, working as a drywall contractor.1 His political experience includes earlier congressional campaigns, including a 2020 House race against longtime Representative Don Young.2
In 2026, Heikes filed for both the Senate and Alaska's lone House seat, although he did not appear on the House primary ballot.2 His Senate campaign continued into the general election after he placed fifth in the August primary, receiving about 1 percent of the vote.2 Fourth place finisher David Leslie withdrew before the August 31 deadline, allowing Heikes to advance.2
Heikes is one of two candidates listed as Republican on the four candidate November ballot, alongside incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, Democrat Mary Peltola and Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., whose ballot entry has no party affiliation.2 The race uses ranked choice voting, allowing voters to rank candidates and transfer preferences if nobody wins an initial majority.3
In a 2026 interview, Heikes supported cutting taxes and defunding Planned Parenthood, while opposing an extension of Affordable Care Act premium assistance.1 He opposes abortion without exceptions and cited a Bible passage in explaining that position.1 His earlier policy record includes a 2020 questionnaire calling for eliminating the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.4