Duplicate Sullivan Disqualified

Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher ruled that Daniel J. Sullivan, a Republican challenger with the same first and last name as incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan, is ineligible for the August primary ballot. In a Monday letter, Beecher said the challenger’s declaration was not filed as a good-faith candidacy but appeared intended to “confuse or mislead” voters in the Senate race. The decision removes a potentially confusing same-name candidate from a high-stakes contest, though some reports note the dispute may not be fully over if the challenger pursues further action. The incumbent, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, remains on the ballot as he seeks reelection in Alaska.