Alaska election official bars candidate with same name as Sen. Dan Sullivan from primary ballot

Alaska's elections director Carol Beecher announced Monday that Daniel J. Sullivan, who shares a name with Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, will not appear on the August primary ballot. Beecher said the filing was not a "good-faith candidacy" but was intended to mislead voters and compromise the fairness of the ballot.

Beecher noted that the challenger attempted to file using only "Dan Sullivan" and even listed "S" as a middle initial, mirroring the incumbent's name. She also pointed out similarities between the two campaign websites, suggesting a deliberate appropriation of the senator's branding.

The incumbent senator raised the issue with reporters, alleging that the filing was an attempt to trick Alaskans. The National Republican Senatorial Committee and state Republican leaders have supported the move to remove the challenger, and Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom opened an investigation into the candidacy.

Beecher identified a political consultant linked to the challenger who has connections to the Democratic Party and to former Rep. Mary Peltola, who is expected to run against Sen. Sullivan. Daniel J. Sullivan has 30 days to appeal the decision. The Senate race is viewed as highly competitive as Democrats aim to flip the seat in a state that favored President Trump by 13 points in 2024.