Alaska Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan advanced to the general election following the state's primary, handily outpolling a challenger also named Dan Sullivan. The challenger, who was suspected by some observers of being a "confusion candidate" intended to siphon votes, finished third in the open primary.
Under Alaska's ranked-choice voting rules, the top four vote-getters advance to the general election ballot. Both candidates named Dan Sullivan will appear before voters in November.
Senator Dan Sullivan is currently in second place in the primary vote count, trailing Democratic Congresswoman Mary Peltola. The other Dan Sullivan is in a distant third.
Election officials raised concerns about the challenger, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., initially seeking ballot access as "Dan Sullivan" despite his voter registration identifying him as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. Alaska election officials viewed this as an attempt to mislead voters into mistaking him for the incumbent. The challenger also switched his party affiliation to Republican immediately before filing, having never previously registered as a Republican.
The challenger's campaign also had ties to a Democratic political consultant. Alaska election officials attempted to remove the challenger from the ballot, but the state Supreme Court ruled he could remain. The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating the challenger's campaign, issuing grand jury subpoenas as part of a federal probe.
Senator Sullivan, a Marine Corps veteran who retired as a colonel, is expected to be well-positioned for the general election. His campaign will likely emphasize his record and service, including deployments in Afghanistan, the Middle East, the Horn of Africa, and Central Asia. His legislative work has focused on defense, Arctic security, and veterans' issues.
Sullivan, 61, has served in the Senate since 2014. He previously held positions as Alaska's Natural Resource Commissioner and Attorney General. His background also includes service on the National Security Council staff and as Assistant Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Business Affairs under President George W. Bush.
General election turnout in Alaska has historically been significantly higher than in August primaries. In 2024, over 340,000 Alaskans voted in the general election compared to approximately 109,000 in the primary. In 2022, more than 267,000 voted in the general election after roughly 190,000 participated in the primary, which saw high interest in Senate and gubernatorial races.
The presence of two candidates with the same name on the ballot is expected to remain a focus throughout the fall campaign. Senator Sullivan's campaign plans a robust effort across media platforms to mobilize voters, highlighting the stakes for Alaska's economy and the potential impact of Democratic control in Washington.