Former teacher Dan J. Sullivan will appear alongside Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic contender Mary Peltola on the general election ballot for Alaska’s Senate race, according to NBC News projections.
Republicans have expressed concern over the other Sullivan’s candidacy, suggesting it may confuse voters in this important battleground race, although Dan J. Sullivan has denied these claims. Alaska’s election system allows the top four candidates from an all-party primary to advance to a ranked-choice general election, potentially mitigating voter confusion by allowing them to rank both Sullivans if desired.
However, many voters rank only one candidate, which could be crucial if the race is tight. This factor may play a significant role in what is expected to be one of the country’s closest Senate races this year.
Democrats have long targeted Alaska as a chance to gain a Senate seat, even before the current name confusion emerged, despite President Donald Trump’s significant wins in the state during the last three presidential elections.
Mary Peltola, a former state legislator and city council member, made history as the first Alaska Native in Congress after winning a statewide special election in 2022 and securing a full term later. Though she lost her seat after one term by 3 percentage points, she performed notably better than Vice President Kamala Harris atop the Democratic ticket in 2024.
Sen. Dan Sullivan was elected to the Senate in 2014, defeating a Democratic incumbent, and won re-election in 2020. A former Marine, he highlights his advocacy for veterans and work with the state’s fishing industry during his campaign.
Criticism has arisen from Sen. Sullivan’s campaign and Republican allies who suspect Dan J. Sullivan as a potential Democratic plant due to recently registering as a Republican and receiving initial campaign assistance from a Democratic consultant. Authorities at state and federal levels are investigating whether his candidacy aims to mislead voters. A federal investigation has progressed, with a law enforcement official reporting that subpoenas were issued by a grand jury last week, seeking witness information on Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign.
Dan J. Sullivan mentioned to The New York Times that he registered as a Republican after the dissolution of his previous political party, the Alaska Independence Party. He opted not to disclose details regarding his collaboration with the Democratic consultant, citing the ongoing investigation.
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