The phrase 'Lower 48' — commonly used in Alaska to describe the contiguous United States — has emerged as a fixture of political attacks in the state's U.S. Senate race, according to reports from the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times and Newsmax.
Candidates and their allies have used the term as an insult, framing opponents as outsiders or as disconnected from Alaska by tying them to the 'Lower 48.'
According to Fortune, the label reflects a broader mystique surrounding Alaska, which outsiders often refer to as 'The Last Frontier,' and being associated with the Lower 48 is considered one of the more biting insults in Alaska politics.
How each side covered it
Left
- Associated Press and Los Angeles Times both described 'Lower 48' as a fixture in Alaska's Senate contest.
- Coverage focused on the phrase's role as a political insult in the race.
“‘Lower 48' is a phrase to fight over in Alaska. It’s a fixture in the state’s US Senate contest” — Associated Press
Center
- Fortune highlighted the cultural mystique of Alaska as 'The Last Frontier.'
- Reports noted being called part of the 'Lower 48' is considered a biting insult in state politics.
“The pejorative label reflects a mystique about Alaska, which outsiders often refer to as “The Last Frontier."” — Fortune
Right
- Newsmax used the same framing as left-leaning outlets, calling the phrase 'a fixture' in the Senate contest.
“'Lower 48' Is a Phrase to Fight over in Alaska. It's a Fixture in the State's US Senate Contest” — Newsmax
Questions readers ask
What happened in Alaska's Senate race?
The phrase 'Lower 48,' which Alaskans use to describe the rest of the continental United States, has become a recurring insult and theme in the state's U.S. Senate contest, according to the Associated Press and Los Angeles Times.
Why does the term 'Lower 48' matter in Alaska politics?
According to Fortune, being labeled as connected to the 'Lower 48' is considered one of the most biting insults in Alaska politics, reflecting the state's identity as 'The Last Frontier.'
Did left-, center- and right-leaning outlets report this differently?
Left-leaning outlets (Associated Press, Los Angeles Times) and right-leaning outlet Newsmax used nearly identical framing describing the phrase as 'a fixture' in the Senate race, while center outlet Fortune emphasized the cultural mystique behind the insult.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- Associated PressLeft-leaning‘Lower 48' is a phrase to fight over in Alaska. It’s a fixture in the state’s US Senate contest
- Los Angeles TimesLeft-leaning‘Lower 48’ is a phrase to fight over in Alaska. It’s a fixture in the state’s U.S. Senate contest
- FortuneCenterOne of the worst insults in Alaska politics is the 'Lower 48' label—and it's central to Senate race
- NewsmaxRight-leaning'Lower 48' Is a Phrase to Fight over in Alaska. It's a Fixture in the State's US Senate Contest