A leading Alaska elections official has disqualified a candidate for the U.S. Senate race. This candidate shared both the name and party affiliation of the current Republican Senator, Dan Sullivan. The decision was announced on Monday.
Carol Beecher, Director of the Division of Elections, informed the challenger, Sullivan, through a letter, that his candidacy didn’t appear to be in good faith. She concluded that it aimed to create confusion and compromise the election’s fairness. Although the challenger can contest this ruling, the ballots are scheduled to be printed by June 28.
A request for a comment from the challenger, Sullivan, went unanswered. He had mentioned plans to decide soon about appealing. In a social media post, he stated he qualified for the race because of dissatisfaction with the current Senator’s 12-year record.
“I entered this race because I am unhappy with the 12-year record of the current Senator and I feel we need a change. It’s that simple,” he said.
This situation emerged late in one of the most significant U.S. Senate races, seen as crucial by both parties. The controversy began when the challenger filed days before the June 1 deadline. Republicans labelled him a “sham” candidate, alleging coordination with Democrats to support former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. Both the challenger and Peltola’s campaign denied this.
Recently, Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom initiated an investigation citing credible allegations of coordination meant to confuse voters. This action followed a letter from a National Republican Senatorial Committee attorney. Alaska Republican Party Chair, Carmela Warfield, also filed complaints to disqualify the challenger.
The challenger Sullivan, a 69-year-old retired teacher from Petersburg, claimed innocence. He argued that Dahlstrom lacked the legal basis to remove him from the ballot. He described sharing a name with Sen. Sullivan as fate. In his view, the Lieutenant Governor’s actions suggest using the state government to safeguard an incumbent from competition.
“The Lieutenant Governor’s job is to oversee elections fairly and impartially,” Sullivan stated. “Instead, her actions create the impression that the state government is being used to protect an incumbent senator from facing competition at the ballot box.”
Beecher didn’t mention evidence of coordination with Peltola or the Democratic Party. However, she pointed out reasons for disqualifying the challenger. These included his prior voter registration as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a recent switch to the Republican Party, and similarities in campaign materials.
The candidate’s campaign work with a consultant, who previously worked for Democrats, appeared suspicious when considered along with these factors. The election director noted that these elements suggested a deliberate attempt to confuse voters.
Regarding ballot designation, candidates can choose their presentation, including nicknames and party affiliation. The challenger explained that his GOP registration was partly influenced by his late father, a “true, compassionate, conservative Republican.”
Sen. Sullivan’s campaign manager, Billy Mackey, praised the Lieutenant Governor for ensuring fair elections. Sen. Sullivan, seeking a third term, and Peltola are the race’s prominent candidates, noted for their fundraising efforts. Democrats are targeting the seat to regain Senate control.
Opposition to removing the challenger gathered outside the Juneau Division of Elections office. Protester Ben Muse criticized the handling of this issue, suggesting middle initials could have sufficed to differentiate the candidates instead.
“This has nothing to do with whether you support this guy as a candidate,” Muse said. “It’s supporting his right to be on the ballot.”