Two Sullivans in Alaska: What Voters Need to Know About the Senate Race

Four candidates on ballot

The Senate contest includes incumbent Dan S. Sullivan, Daniel J. Sullivan, Republican Gerald Heikes and Democrat Mary Peltola. Their names are on the ballot after Alaska’s top-four primary in August.

Alaska voters may rank any number of candidates. If nobody receives more than half of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and those ballots are reassigned to voters’ next choices until someone wins a majority.

In the primary, Peltola finished first with 49.5%. Sen. Sullivan received 41.4%, and Daniel J. Sullivan took third with 2.5%.

Challenge to the challenger

Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from rural Alaska, entered the race in June. The incumbent sought to have him removed, calling him a “sham candidate,” while the challenger said he genuinely wanted to serve in the Senate.

Alaska official Beecher cited the challenger’s attempt to use “Dan Sullivan,” his request for the middle initial S, similar campaign websites and the lack of a state record of Republican affiliation. The challenger appealed, and a judge ruled the state lacked authority to determine whether he was running in good faith. The state Supreme Court upheld that decision days later, leaving both candidates on the ballot.

Parties warn about confusion

Republicans have tried to distinguish the candidates as Election Day approached, including through a radio jingle: “Dan S., Daniel, Gerry – just don’t rank Mary!” The party would prefer the second Sullivan not be on the ballot, the article says. Gov. Dunleavy alleged on X that candidates had been recruited to confuse voters. A spokesperson for Sen. Sullivan’s campaign, Nate Adams, said, “Alaskans deserve the truth,” and accused Peltola’s campaign of denying a scheme. Peltola said at a Juneau campaign stop that she was “not interested in tricking voters.” The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, meanwhile, said Republicans had previously tried to shape Alaska’s ballot to benefit favored candidates.

Federal lawsuit adds stakes

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit last week seeking to challenge certification of the Senate race in advance if Sen. Sullivan loses. Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Face the Nation that the lawsuit was not asking officials to refuse certification.

Blanche said the department did not believe Alaska should certify the result if a court found it came from voter confusion rather than voters’ will. He said the lawsuit was intended to put safeguards in place.