Alaska Supreme Court Allows Second Dan Sullivan on Senate Primary Ballot

The Alaska Supreme Court affirmed a lower‑court ruling that Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from Petersburg, must be listed on the August primary ballot for the U.S. Senate race alongside incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. The court rejected the state’s effort to disqualify the challenger on the grounds that his candidacy was intended to confuse voters. It directed the Division of Elections to determine how the two candidates will appear under existing ballot‑design law.

The dispute has national implications because the Alaska race is seen as pivotal to the narrow Republican majority in the Senate. Republicans warn that the second Dan Sullivan could siphon votes from the incumbent, while Democrats see a potential opening for their challenger. The case drew friend‑of‑the‑court briefs from 15 Republican‑led states and from the conservative Honest Elections Project, emphasizing ballot integrity over any candidate’s fitness. The Division of Elections faces a tight deadline to finalize ballot listings, with both candidates expected to proceed to the general election.