A closely watched U.S. Senate race in Alaska has taken an unusual turn after a candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan entered the race. The challenger, also named Dan Sullivan, is registered as a Republican and has accused the senator of failing to prioritize Alaska. The incumbent, however, alleges that the other candidate is a Democratic plot to confuse voters and rig the election in favor of his Democratic opponent, Mary Peltola.
The senator’s campaign has threatened legal action, citing similarities in the challenger’s campaign logo and website. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) called the situation "bizarre" and suggested it was designed to confuse voters. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has also raised concerns, with an attorney for the group questioning the challenger’s party affiliation and hinting at potential legal action.
Both the Peltola campaign and the Alaska Democratic Party have denied any involvement with the other Dan Sullivan. The challenger’s campaign website describes him as a Republican, though state records show he was previously registered as undeclared.
Alaska’s primary election, scheduled for Aug. 18, will use a ranked-choice system where the top four vote-getters advance to the general election. Republicans argue that the presence of two Dan Sullivans on the ballot could split the GOP vote and benefit Peltola.