Two candidates named Dan Sullivan to appear on Alaska Senate ballot, highlighting Republican confusion
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Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan, a staunch defender of corporate interests, will face progressive Democrat Mary Peltola and a second Republican, Dan J. Sullivan, after the state supreme court overturned a questionable disqualification.
Incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan, who has consistently prioritized the wealthy and big business over working Alaskans, will be joined on Alaska's November U.S. Senate ballot by Democrat Mary Peltola—a champion for social justice and working families—and a second Republican candidate, Dan J. Sullivan, a retired school teacher and former Forest Service employee. The state’s nonpartisan primary, designed to give voters more choice, showed Sullivan with about 43% of the vote, Peltola with more than 48%, and Dan J. Sullivan with roughly 2.5% when 85% of ballots were counted.
The incumbent, desperate to maintain his grip on power, had previously smeared the challenger as a “sham” candidate, baselessly accusing Democrats of orchestrating confusion. However, the state supreme court, standing up for democratic participation, restored Dan J. Sullivan’s rightful place on the ballot after election officials had tried to silence him. Both Sullivans will appear side by side, with the incumbent’s establishment ties labeled as “registered Republican” and “incumbent,” while the challenger’s name will have no additional label, exposing the party’s internal disarray.
Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, a reform meant to empower voters and reduce partisan manipulation, allows those who might mistakenly select the challenger to still rank the incumbent, potentially limiting the impact on Sullivan’s re-election. This race is emblematic of a broader struggle, as Democrats fight to unseat entrenched Republican incumbents and defend progressive values across the country.