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Lower 48
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- 1'Lower 48' insult takes center stage in Alaska Senate race▼One of the worst insults in Alaska politics is the 'Lower 48' label—and it's central to Senate race
Calling someone a product of the 'Lower 48'—the contiguous United States—is among the sharpest insults in Alaska politics, where voters prize local roots and independence. The label is now playing a central role in the state's US Senate race, with candidates using it to question each other's commitment to Alaska's interests and paint rivals as outsiders pursuing outside agendas.
- 2'Lower 48' becomes flashpoint in Alaska Senate race▼'Lower 48' is a phrase to fight over in Alaska. It's a fixture in the state's US Senate contest
The phrase 'Lower 48' has become a contested term in Alaska's US Senate contest, with candidates and commentators sparring over what it signals about ties to the contiguous United States. Alaskans have long used the term for the states below Canada, but in the campaign it is being debated as a marker of identity and loyalty. The dispute is now a recurring fixture of the race.