Dual Dan Sullivan Ballot
Alaska Judge Rules Man Named Dan Sullivan Eligible for Primary Ballot, Challenging Incumbent
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An Alaska Superior Court judge has ruled that a retired teacher named Dan Sullivan can stay on the state's August 18 Republican primary ballot — even though he shares the exact name and party affiliation of incumbent U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan. Judge Thomas Matthews overturned a state elections official's disqualification on June 26, just days before a June 30 deadline to finalize the ballot for printing, according to Yahoo News.
The ruling sets up a bizarre primary showdown between two Republican "Dan Sullivans" — one a two-term senator, the other a retired teacher from Petersburg with no reported campaign funds — in a race where the stakes are high and the margin for error is slim, Boston 25 News reported.
How a Retired Teacher Ended Up on a Senate Ballot
Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, Alaska, filed to run as a Republican for the U.S. Senate seat by the June 1 filing deadline. He says sharing the name is simply a "matter of fate." He meets all the basic constitutional requirements: age, citizenship, and residency. He has reported no major fundraising, according to KTAR News.
The Alaska Division of Elections initially let him through, then reversed course on June 15. Director Carol Beecher disqualified him, saying his filing lacked "good faith" and noting he registered as "Daniel J. Sullivan Jr." but filed as "Dan Sullivan." That decision triggered a fast-moving legal fight, Click Orlando reported.
Judge Rules State Invented a Rule That Doesn't Exist
Judge Matthews sided with the challenger on June 26. He said the Division of Elections relied on a "new, previously unstated 'good faith' criteria" not found in Alaska law or the state constitution. In plain terms: the state made up a rule to kick him off, and that's not allowed, according to News4Jax.
Alaska's legislature had already raised red flags. On June 22, a joint committee of House lawmakers heard from legal counsel who questioned whether the Division had any authority to judge a candidate's motive at all. Attorneys for the challenger argued the state was trying to "mind-read" candidates, Your Valley reported.
Incumbent Senator Calls It Cheating, Democrats Deny Involvement
Senator Dan S. Sullivan, who won re-election in 2020 with 54% of the vote, went on CNN on June 7 to call the candidacy "cheating." He said the challenger's presence "could confuse voters and give a leg-up to his well-funded Democratic challenger," referring to former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola, according to Audacy.
Peltola and her campaign have denied any role in recruiting the same-name challenger. State Democrats called the incumbent's reaction "paranoia" and said Republicans were attacking the election system because they feared a competitive race. The National Republican Senatorial Committee condemned the judge's ruling, viewing it as a threat to GOP Senate control, Tri-City Record reported.
What Happens Next Could Reshape Alaska Election Law
The state must finalize the ballot by June 30 — just days after the ruling — so printing can begin for the August 18 primary. If Dan J. Sullivan stays on, even a few thousand misdirected votes could shift the outcome in what is expected to be a tight race, according to WWL TV.
The case could also set a lasting legal precedent. It may permanently limit the Division of Elections' power to remove candidates it views as "decoys" or "sham" entrants. Under Alaska's "Top Four" primary system — adopted in 2020 — all candidates regardless of party appear on one ballot, and the top four advance to a ranked-choice general election on November 3, Click Orlando reported.
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