Key facts
- A second candidate named Dan Sullivan, an independent and retired teacher, is running for the Alaska U.S. Senate seat.
- Incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan and his allies have accused the challenger of being a sham candidate designed to confuse voters and aid Democrat Mary Peltola.
- Despite initial disqualification by the state's Division of Elections, the Alaska Supreme Court has ordered Dan J. Sullivan to be placed on the ballot.
- Local residents and a newspaper publisher have defended the challenger's character and questioned the state's attempts to block his candidacy.
A second candidate named Dan Sullivan, an independent and retired teacher, is running for the Alaska U.S. Senate seat, drawing accusations from the incumbent Republican and his allies of being a sham candidate intended to confuse voters and aid Democrat Mary Peltola.
Despite the allegations, Dan J. Sullivan, who has lived in Petersburg for decades, was placed on the ballot following a legal challenge. Local residents and the publisher of the Petersburg Pilot newspaper have defended Sullivan's character, calling him a stand-up human being and questioning the state's attempts to block his candidacy.
Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom had initiated an investigation into Sullivan's candidacy based on "credible allegations" of coordination with another candidate to manipulate voters. The National Republican Senatorial Committee also asserted that Sullivan's work with a consultant who has worked with Democrats was evidence of an attempt to "rig the election." The state Democratic Party and campaign groups have denied any affiliation with Dan J. Sullivan.
Ultimately, a state court judge voided the disqualification, ruling it was not based on constitutional or legal requirements. The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed his placement on the ballot, leaving the Division of Elections to determine the specifics of how he would be listed.