Alaska GOP Senator Dan Sullivan challenges same‑name rival over ballot confusion

Alaska Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan said a last‑minute filing by another candidate named Dan J. Sullivan could confuse voters and benefit Democratic opponent Mary Peltola in the upcoming Senate race. The incumbent and the National Republican Senatorial Committee have asked state election officials to disqualify the challenger, warning that the similarity of the names may split the Republican vote in the primary.

In an interview, Sen. Sullivan claimed the rival’s purpose was to “rig the vote in favor of Mary Peltola,” and said he would consider legal action if the lieutenant governor does not remove the name from the ballot. The Alaska Division of Elections has not commented on the request.

Dan J. Sullivan, a former forest service employee and elementary‑school teacher from southeast Alaska, has said his campaign is legitimate and described himself as a “pragmatic Republican centrist.” He told the local Petersburg Pilot that he has no personal connection to Peltola and that voters should review voter‑information materials to differentiate the candidates.

The GOP highlighted that Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign announcement was prepared by a consultant who has worked for Democratic candidates, and noted past donations to Democratic campaigns, including $130 to Peltola’s House races. Democratic officials, including a spokesperson for Peltola’s campaign and representatives of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee, denied any involvement with the Dan J. Sullivan candidacy.

Alaska’s ranked‑choice voting system, which advances the top four primary finishers to the general election, adds strategic concern for Republicans that two candidates with the same name could dilute their support and give Peltola an advantage.