Alaska Senate Ballot Dispute Prompts State Probe Days Before Vote
Governor Mike Dunleavy ordered an inquiry into whether a candidate with a name resembling incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan was recruited by the opposing campaign.
By Josephine Clarke ·
One independent candidate, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., has forced a state-level investigation into the mechanics of the Alaska Senate race less than a week before voters head to the polls. The probe, ordered by Governor Mike Dunleavy, centers on whether state laws were breached during the recruitment and qualification of the third-party candidate.
The dispute began when election officials initially declared Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher, ineligible for the ballot. Officials concluded his candidacy was intended to mislead voters because his name closely matches that of Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. The Alaska Supreme Court later reversed that decision, allowing Sullivan Jr. to remain on the ballot as an independent.
Vice President JD Vance called for an examination of the circumstances surrounding Sullivan Jr.'s entry into the race. President Donald Trump went further, requesting criminal prosecution. No charges have been filed against Democratic nominee Mary Peltola or her campaign team. The White House and the vice president's office are pressing for answers regarding communications between Sullivan Jr. and people associated with the Peltola campaign.
Dunleavy assigned Alaska's Department of Public Safety to determine if the alleged recruitment effort violated state statutes. The governor's order follows media reports detailing interactions between Sullivan Jr. and individuals linked to the Peltola campaign. The investigation will assess whether the process of placing a candidate with the same first and last name as the sitting senator adhered to legal standards.
Peltola has rejected claims of misconduct. She described the controversy as a distraction from policy issues affecting Alaskans. A group supporting her campaign denied any role in Sullivan Jr.'s bid. Sullivan Jr. also stated he did not coordinate with the Peltola operation. All parties maintain that the allegations remain unproven.
The Senate contest is scheduled for November 3. The presence of two candidates with the name Dan Sullivan on the ballot has drawn national attention to the race. The state probe aims to clarify whether the independent candidacy followed procedural rules before the results are certified.
Source: WABC
