Alaska voters will face a unique situation on their primary ballots this August.
The state’s highest court has ruled that Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, will be allowed to run as a Republican candidate alongside the sitting GOP Senator Dan S. Sullivan. This decision overturns a prior ruling by an election official that sought to disqualify the challenger.
This development concludes a peculiar episode that has captivated Alaska’s political scene in recent weeks. It also poses a potential challenge for Senator Sullivan as he competes against Democratic contender Mary Peltola, in a race pivotal to Senate control.
The senator’s campaign quickly criticized the court’s decision.
“We’re disappointed in the court’s decision because as the sham candidate Dan J. Sullivan’s lawyers made clear in their legal arguments, the only reason he is running is to deceive voters and manipulate Alaska’s election system,” stated Nate Adams, a spokesperson for the senator. “However, we are encouraged by the fact that the Director of the Division of Elections will be able to use her expertise to differentiate between the Petersburg fraud and the incumbent — Senator Dan Sullivan — to the benefit of Alaska voters.”
On the other hand, Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign, following his recent switch to the Republican party, expressed satisfaction with the ruling.
“We are grateful for the Alaska Supreme Court’s careful and timely attention to this important expedited matter, and its decision to affirm Judge Matthews’ well-reasoned, thorough order vacating the Division’s unlawful decision to exclude me as a candidate,” the statement read. “We expect that the Division will act in full compliance with existing Alaska ballot design law in its preparation of the ballots.”
Republicans have alleged that Dan J. Sullivan is a Democratic ploy to divert votes from the senator and thereby facilitate Peltola’s path. Complaints have been filed with state and federal agencies to impede his campaign, with claims that he is collaborating with a Democratic operative who has previously supported Peltola. They also point to similarities between his campaign materials and those of the incumbent.
Concerns are heightened by Alaska’s ranked-choice voting system, which allows the top four candidates to proceed to the general election. Both Sullivans could appear on that ballot, potentially splitting the vote and benefiting Peltola. One Nation, a nonprofit associated with the GOP’s Senate Leadership Fund, has begun advertising using the senator’s middle initial to help voters distinguish between the two.
Peltola’s campaign and other Democratic organizations have denied any involvement with Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy.
The state’s elections division, led by the GOP lieutenant governor, initially removed Dan J. Sullivan from the ballot, citing an intent to mislead voters. This decision was overturned by a superior court judge and subsequently confirmed by the Alaska Supreme Court, just ahead of the deadline for ballot printing.
“This matter is remanded for the Division of Elections to determine, in the first instance, how appellee Sullivan shall be listed as a candidate within the confines of existing Alaska ballot design law,” stated the court.
