Alaska Elections Department Rules Sullivan Ineligible to Run
The Alaska Department of Elections announced Thursday that Dan J. Sullivan, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is not eligible to run against the sitting Republican senator.
Director of Elections, Carol Beecher, informed another Mr. Sullivan of his ineligibility following two complaints regarding his candidacy. There are concerns that his presence on the ballot could confuse voters, potentially benefiting former Alaska Democratic Representative Mary Peltola.
“After reviewing the evidence submitted and what we have on file, we have determined that the evidence does not support your qualifications for the U.S. Senate,” Beecher stated.
This decision is still preliminary, and Beecher allowed Sullivan until 5 p.m. Thursday to make his case. The Department will then reach a final conclusion.
Democratic strategist Amber Lee, who wrote the announcement for Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign, had expressed earlier this year that Peltola might have a strong shot at beating him. Despite her support for Peltola in the past, she mentioned aspirations to run for governor in March 2025, citing a belief that Democrats best safeguard the state from what she called the negative impacts of Donald Trump’s administration.
News — Alaska state election officials have tentatively ruled that Republican Senate candidate Dan J. Sullivan, who shares the same last name as incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan, is ineligible to run. The state has not said what evidence led to its decision.
— Vote Hub (@VoteHub) June 12, 2026
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) argued that the other Sullivan should be removed from the ballot to uphold election integrity laws.
Nate Adams, a spokesman for the Sullivan campaign, accused Peltola and other Democrats of using “deceitful tactics” to mislead Alaskan voters. He claimed this strategy undermines public confidence in elections and that they are exploring all legal avenues to combat it.
The other Dan Sullivan, a former teacher from Petersburg, has contributed to Democratic candidates, including Mary Peltola. This has raised eyebrows given his Republican candidacy.
Also, Peltola visited Petersburg shortly before the other Sullivan filed his candidacy, which some speculate might be more than a mere coincidence.
