Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
Alaska Senate race faces dispute over second candidate named Dan Sullivan
A retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan is running as an independent against Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in Alaska’s US Senate race.
Reports say Democratic challenger Mary Peltola’s team encouraged him to run to draw votes from the senator, who has held the seat since 2014.
The two men share a name, but have different middle initials, which could confuse voters.
Peltola’s team denies trying to mislead voters, while a former campaign manager said she knew about the effort but did not take part.
Republicans have challenged the effort in court, and President Donald Trump said the Justice Department had filed a case to block official confirmation of a possible Peltola win.
Polls cited in the reports put Peltola ahead of both Sullivans.
The result could affect the balance of power in the Senate, where the parties’ numbers are close; the reports do not say when the court will rule.
Reports say Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s team recruited a retired teacher named Dan J. Sullivan to run as an independent against Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan in Alaska.
The New York Times based its account on former Peltola campaign manager Elisa Rios, internal text messages and other sources.
Peltola’s team has denied the accusation of misleading voters.
Republicans are pursuing legal action, and President Donald Trump said the Justice Department had filed a lawsuit to prevent a possible Peltola victory from being certified.
Polls cited by the articles put Peltola well ahead of both Sullivans, while the race could affect the closely divided US Senate.
- Who
- Democratic candidate Mary Peltola, Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan and independent candidate Dan J. Sullivan are at the center of the dispute.
- What
- Reports say Peltola’s team recruited a candidate with the same name as the incumbent senator. Her team denies misleading voters, while Republicans are pursuing legal action.
- When
- The articles were published on October 28, 2026, ahead of the US congressional elections.
- Where
- Alaska, United States.
- Why
- The reported aim was for Dan J. Sullivan to draw votes from Dan S. Sullivan and hinder his re-election.
Peltola's team
Republicans and Donald Trump
Alleged recruitment
Peltola's team
Reports say Peltola’s team recruited Dan J. Sullivan to run as an independent and draw votes from the Republican senator.
Republicans and Donald Trump
Republicans challenge the reported maneuver, and Trump called for both Peltola and Dan J. Sullivan to be removed from the ballot.
Voter deception
Peltola's team
Peltola’s team denies the accusation of misleading voters.
Republicans and Donald Trump
Republicans and Trump allege the name-based effort was improper; Trump also accused Democrats of making false statements under oath.
Reports say Peltola’s team sought people named Dan Sullivan and persuaded retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan to run as an independent.
Trump said the Justice Department had filed a lawsuit on his instructions to prevent a possible Peltola victory from being certified.
Bild and n-tv published accounts of the dispute.
- Republican incumbent
- Dan S. Sullivan
- Democratic challenger
- Mary Peltola
- Independent candidate
- Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher
- Alaska population
- About 740,000
- Senate service
- Dan S. Sullivan has represented Alaska since 2014
3 sources
What people are saying
Alaska voters need to know.
It has just been established that Democrats in Alaska illegally searched for and recruited a man named Dan Sullivan.