Alaska bars second Dan Sullivan from August Senate primary

Alaska Director of Elections Carol Beecher ruled Monday that a Republican U.S. Senate candidate named Dan J. Sullivan cannot appear on the August primary ballot, finding his candidacy was a deliberate attempt to confuse voters.

The disqualified candidate shared both the name and party affiliation of incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, who was first elected in 2014, reelected in 2020, and is running for a third term. His current seat expires January 3, 2027. Republicans had argued the second Dan Sullivan was running only to undermine the incumbent.

Beecher's ruling found the candidacy represented a "determined effort and a deliberate attempt" to confuse Alaska voters. The Alaska Division of Elections, which operates under the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, administers candidate eligibility for all statewide races.

The ruling means voters will see one Dan Sullivan on the Republican ballot in August, not two. Whether the disqualified candidate will appeal the decision is not yet known.