The number of candidates named Dan Sullivan on Alaska’s U.S. Senate ballot has been reduced to one. The state’s director of elections decided that Dan J. Sullivan, a Republican candidate who shares a name with the incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan, is ineligible to run. This decision can be appealed in state court.
Republicans accused Democrats of trying to confuse voters by endorsing Dan J. Sullivan, a former teacher. They believed this could divert votes from Senator Sullivan and support Mary Peltola, the Democratic contender. Both Peltola and the other Sullivan have denied any collaboration, with the latter claiming his campaign was serious.
Republican state officials were skeptical of this claim. Lt. Gov Nancy Dahlstrom began an investigation into his candidacy, and Carol Beecher, the state elections director, indicated last Wednesday that Dan J. Sullivan might be removed unless substantial evidence of his candidacy’s legitimacy emerged.
On Monday, Beecher stated no convincing evidence was received. She declared, “A declaration of candidacy filed for the purpose of confusing or misleading voters and compromising the fairness of the ballot is not properly filed,” leading to Dan J. Sullivan’s removal from the race.
Beecher’s decision cited various factors. She noted that Dan J. Sullivan’s request to appear on the ballot as “Dan Sullivan” rather than “Daniel J. Sullivan, Jr.” seemed intended to mislead voters. Additionally, an error in his initial email to the Division of Elections, requesting to use “Dan S. Sullivan,” Senator Sullivan’s middle initial, was mentioned as part of the evidence.
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