Super PAC Backing 'Decoy Dan' Sullivan Funded by Progressive Donors
Financial disclosures reveal that a Super PAC supporting Republican challenger Dan J. Sullivan in Alaska's Senate race received significant funding from the left-wing Sixteen Thirty Fund.
A Super PAC supporting a Republican challenger named Dan J. Sullivan in Alaska's Senate race has received substantial funding from progressive donors, according to newly released financial disclosures. The Super PAC, Right for Alaska, has spent nearly $1.15 million to support Dan J. Sullivan, who is running against incumbent Republican Senator Dan S. Sullivan. Dan J. Sullivan, referred to as “Decoy Dan,” shares the same name as the incumbent and is listed on the ballot as a Republican, despite having voted against Donald Trump in previous presidential elections.
Republicans have alleged that Dan J. Sullivan is a spoiler candidate, intentionally placed and promoted by Democrats to confuse voters in what is anticipated to be a close contest between Senator Sullivan and former Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat. These allegations have been the basis for Federal Election Commission complaints and ongoing litigation.
New financial filings indicate that Right for Alaska received approximately $990,000 from the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a left-wing organization, as reported by Federal Election Commission data. Additionally, Right for Alaska received $1.8 million from the Liberty Force Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) dark money group that does not disclose its donors. Both Right for Alaska and Liberty Force Action Fund list Thomas Datwyler as their treasurer. Datwyler has previously been associated with former Rep. George Santos.
Dan J. Sullivan and Senator Dan S. Sullivan both advanced to the general election ballot on November 3rd, having secured spots in the top four of Alaska's non-partisan August primary. Earlier this year, Dan J. Sullivan was initially removed from the primary ballot by Alaska's top election official, who determined that his name and party affiliation were likely chosen to confuse voters. However, the Alaska Supreme Court later reinstated him, ruling that state law does not require candidates to run in good faith and directing the state Division of Elections to implement measures to distinguish between the two candidates.
Reports from August indicated that Dan J. Sullivan, who identifies as a moderate Republican, participated in anti-Trump protests and supported Mary Peltola in her previous congressional campaigns. He also reportedly has a magnet depicting Che Guevara on his refrigerator.
Under Alaska's ranked-choice voting system, either Mary Peltola or Dan S. Sullivan must secure over 50% of the vote to win the election. Current polling averages show Peltola leading by 2.5 percentage points, 49.5% to 47.0%.