Former teacher Dan J. Sullivan joins Alaska Senate ballot alongside incumbent and Democrat

Former teacher Dan J. Sullivan is projected to advance to the general election for Alaska’s U.S. Senate seat, joining incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic challenger Mary Peltola. The state’s all-party primary advances the top four vote-getters to a ranked-choice general election, allowing voters to rank multiple candidates, including both Sullivans.

Republican officials have raised concerns that the presence of two candidates with the same name could cause voter confusion, a claim the younger Sullivan has denied. Federal prosecutors are examining whether his candidacy is part of a scheme to mislead voters, and a grand jury has issued subpoenas related to the campaign.

Peltola, who previously served in the state legislature and Anchorage city council, became the first Alaska Native elected to Congress in a 2022 special election and won a full term later that year. She lost her seat after one term by a narrow margin in the 2024 election cycle.

Sen. Dan Sullivan, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2020, highlighted his veteran background and support for the fishing industry during his campaign. The race is viewed as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats despite Alaska’s recent support for President Donald Trump in presidential elections.