A U.S. Senate candidate in Alaska, Dan J. Sullivan, is challenging state attempts to remove him from the ballot, facing accusations from the incumbent Republican and party allies that he is a "sham candidate" working with Democrats to confuse voters and aid Democratic rival Mary Peltola.
Sullivan, an educator and longtime resident of the small fishing community of Petersburg, was initially removed from the ballot by the state's Lieutenant Governor, who oversees elections. The Alaska Supreme Court, however, ordered that he be reinstated. The controversy arose after a lawyer for the National Republican Senatorial Committee alleged that Sullivan's work with a consultant who had previously worked with Democrats was evidence of an attempt to manipulate the election.
Sullivan has denied these claims, stating they are "entirely false" and that the prior work of a consultant is not a legitimate reason to investigate him. The state Democratic Party and allied campaign groups have also denied recruiting Sullivan or having any affiliation with him.
The Director of the state Division of Elections had disqualified Sullivan, citing a lack of affiliation with the Republican Party before filing and a campaign website that bore similarities to the incumbent's. However, a state court judge later voided this decision, ruling it was not based on constitutional or legal requirements and lacked sufficient evidence to support the claim that Sullivan aimed to confuse voters.
In Petersburg, a community of about 3,000 people where Sullivan has lived for decades, many residents find the allegations difficult to believe. They describe Sullivan, a retired elementary and middle school teacher, as a "stand-up human being" and a person of "unimpeachable" character.
"To say somebody can’t run — that he’s fake — that’s fear," said Linda Bunge, a Petersburg resident who acknowledged she might vote for Peltola but would consider Sullivan. Jeigh Stanton Gregor, a borough Assembly member who previously worked with Sullivan, expressed surprise he was running, noting that Sullivan had been encouraged to run for local offices in the past.
Sullivan, who is listed on the ballot as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. without a party affiliation, acknowledges that his name might provide an advantage over lesser-known candidates. He plans to increase his fundraising efforts and potentially campaign in other communities. He stated his motivation for running stems from frustration with a senator he perceives as unresponsive to constituents. He also cited concerns about former President Donald Trump's tariff policies, the war with Iran impacting Alaskan costs, and the possibility that individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot could benefit from a proposed compensation fund.
Alaska's primary system allows all candidates, including independents, to run together, with the top four vote-getters advancing to the general election. Sullivan is one of 16 candidates vying for the Senate seat in the Aug. 18 primary. The incumbent senator and Mary Peltola are the only candidates to have reported fundraising thus far.