Alaska Senate Candidate Removed from Ballot

An Alaska election official has decided that a candidate for Senate in Alaska, who shares the name of Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, cannot be on the ballot for the state’s primary. The official cited an attempt to confuse voters in Alaska.

This candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan, announced his challenge to the sitting senator, bringing about confusion and worry among Republicans months before the August primary.

In a letter to the candidate, Elections Director Carol Beecher concluded that Daniel J. Sullivan entered the race with the intention to mislead rather than engage in a genuine candidacy for the U.S. Senate. She stated that his actions were meant to compromise the fairness of the ballot.

Beecher noted that Daniel J. Sullivan tried to register as “Dan Sullivan,” though he had never used that name when voting. He even attempted to use “S” as a middle initial, matching that of the incumbent senator. Further, she highlighted the similarities between the campaign websites of the two candidates, suggesting an intentional mimicry of Sen. Sullivan’s campaign.

Sen. Sullivan raised the issue with reporters earlier and accused Democrats of collaborating to deceive Alaskan voters. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Alaska Republicans had been advocating for Daniel J. Sullivan’s removal from the ballot. Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom initiated an investigation into his candidacy last week.

Beecher mentioned that a political consultant for Daniel J. Sullivan has connections to the Democratic Party and Sen. Sullivan’s expected Democratic opponent, former Rep. Mary Peltola.

Daniel J. Sullivan now has 30 days to appeal the decision. The Alaska Senate race is anticipated to be highly competitive, as Democrats aim to gain control of the chamber. Nonetheless, capturing this seat remains a challenge in a state that President Trump won by 13 points in 2024.