MORNING GLORY: Alaska’s 'real' Senator Dan Sullivan stood up over challenger
Incumbent Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan Advances to November Ballot Alongside Same-Name Challenger
By Maine News Now Staff
Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska has secured a spot on the November general election ballot, finishing in a close second place behind Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola in Tuesday's open primary, according to state election returns.
Joining them on the ranked-choice ballot will be an unexpected third figure: a retired federal employee and teacher also named Dan Sullivan, who registered to vote as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. but sought ballot access under "Dan Sullivan." He finished a distant third, but Alaska's primary rules send the top four vote-getters to the general election regardless of party, ensuring both men named Sullivan will appear on the November ballot.
The unusual situation has drawn national attention and a federal investigation. According to Alaska's Division of Elections, the second Sullivan initially attempted to register for the ballot as "Dan Sullivan," though his voter registration records identified him as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. State officials regarded that discrepancy as evidence he was trying to confuse voters. He also switched his party affiliation to Republican shortly before filing to run, having never previously been registered with the GOP.
The campaign of the second Sullivan has been linked to a Democratic political consultant whose past work included supporting Democratic candidates. Alaska election officials attempted to remove him from the ballot, but the Alaska Supreme Court ruled he could remain. This week, Reuters reported that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the second Sullivan's campaign and has issued grand jury subpoenas as part of a federal probe.
The incumbent senator, Dan Sullivan, has publicly characterized the situation as a "dirty trick" and pledged to overcome what he described as an effort to "steal" his name. Speaking on "Ruthless," a political podcast, Sullivan said he would not be deterred.
The incumbent, 61, is a Harvard College and Georgetown University Law School graduate who served on the National Security Council staff and as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs under President George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009. Before his 2014 election to the Senate, he served as Alaska's Natural Resources Commissioner and Attorney General.
A Marine Corps officer since 1993, Sullivan served on active duty from 2004 to 2006 with deployments to the Middle East, Horn of Africa, and Central Asia, and later deployed to Afghanistan as a reservist. He retired with the rank of colonel. His military background has shaped his Senate work, particularly on defense, Arctic security, and veterans' affairs.
Tuesday's primary drew roughly 109,000 ballots, a figure expected to rise as absentee votes are counted. For comparison, the 2024 general election drew 340,981 voters after a primary of 108,906, and the 2022 general drew 267,047 after a primary of about 190,000. Analysts expect general election turnout in Alaska this November to far exceed Tuesday's primary numbers.
Senator Sullivan will appear on the November ballot designated as "Republican incumbent." Peltola, a Democrat, has served in the U.S. House representing Alaska's at-large district. Because Alaska uses ranked-choice voting in general elections, voters will rank their preferences among the four candidates who advanced.
Senator Sullivan serves on key Senate committees alongside fellow Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, and the state's seniority on issues like oil and gas development, mining, federal lands, resource management, and Arctic policy has been a point of emphasis in his campaigns. Alaska carried by President Trump by 13 percentage points in the last presidential election, a margin Sullivan and his supporters view as favorable heading into November.
The federal investigation into the second Sullivan's campaign is ongoing. No charges have been publicly announced.