GOP fights to stop multiple Dan Sullivans from appearing on Alaska ballot, calls candidacy a 'sham'

FIRST ON FOX: Republicans are moving to block a political newcomer linked to Democrats who shares the name of Alaska's incumbent senator, arguing the candidate's long-shot bid could mislead voters in a closely watched Senate race. 

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) sent a letter Monday to the Alaska Division of Elections and the state's lieutenant governor, demanding that "Dan J. Sullivan" — a former teacher with no relation to incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan — be struck from the ballot ahead of the August primary. 

"Alaska regulations provide that a candidate’s name may not appear on the ballot in a manner that is ‘confusing or misleading to voters or compromises the fairness or neutrality of the ballot,’" the NRSC wrote in the letter. "You must uphold your statutory obligation to enforce those regulations and protect the principles they safeguard by keeping Sham Candidate Sullivan off the ballot."

Spokespersons for Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, R-Alaska, and Director of Elections Carol Beecher did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 

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Both Sullivans are slated to appear on the ballot in Alaska’s open primary system in which the top four vote-getters will advance to the general election.

If the lesser-known Sullivan makes the top four, he would appear on the November ballot alongside the senator, potentially causing confusion for voters.

Alaska is among the states Democrats are aggressively targeting as they seek to retake control of the Senate in November's midterm elections.

Campaign material metadata reveals that Amber Lee, a progressive consultant, authored a press release announcing the Senate bid for Sullivan, the former teacher. Lee previously supported former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, who is seeking to unseat the incumbent senator after losing re-election in 2024.

Following Peltola’s entry into the race, Lee told The Hill in January, "It’s going to be a hard race, but … I believe there’s a real chance for her to win this."  

Asked for comment, Sullivan told Fox News Digital on Tuesday that Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy is an attempt by national Democrats to "rig an election."

"The Democratic Party is talking about ‘we care about fair elections,’" Sullivan said. "It’s bulls---."

"The Democrats in D.C., the Peltola campaign, are complicit in trying to trick Alaskans," he continued. "That’s an insult to rig — I say very strongly — rig an election in their favor."

A spokesperson for the Peltola campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign announcement does not list a party affiliation. His website does not state his position on any political issues, but leans into the name overlap.

"Dan Sullivan challenges Dan Sullivan for U.S. Senate Seat, urges Alaskans to defeat incumbent, elect a Sullivan who stands up for Alaska," it reads.

According to his biography, Dan J. Sullivan spent his early career working blue-collar jobs like logging, construction, bartending and forestry but decided to enter his bid for Senate after growing frustrated with government mismanagement.

"Over time, he became increasingly frustrated with what he saw as federal inefficiency and a lack of long-term thinking in government," the biography continues.

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Although Republicans have months to clarify the situation to voters before the state’s primary in August, Dan J. Sullivan's candidacy could create confusion that sways the high-stakes Senate race.

"Mary Peltola and Chuck Schumer know they can’t beat Senator Sullivan on his record, so they’re resorting to deceitful political maneuvers that attempt to trick Alaskans and buy a seat," National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson Nick Puglia told Fox News Digital.

The Dan J. Sullivan campaign did not respond to questions about whether Sullivan had been asked to run, whether the campaign had made filings with the FEC or if he intends to run as an independent.

The name confusion is especially relevant in Alaska, one of only two states that have implemented ranked choice voting. The system allows voters to select multiple candidates in order of preference.

Under this model, voters can still apply their vote to a second, sometimes even a third option, if their first choice is eliminated from contention.

The system, sometimes called "instant runoff voting," greatly increases the influence of candidates who may not otherwise be a voter’s first choice.

Lee, the Democratic strategist, did not respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Documentation of her political leanings calls into question whether Dan J. Sullivan's campaign is authentic.

In addition to being called a backer for Mary Peltola by The New York Times, Lee’s consulting firm, Amber Strategies, lists a number of progressive clients, including Alaska Women Ascent.

The group aims to "train women who are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ rights, pro-union, anti-racist and pro-racial justice" to serve as candidates and volunteers.

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Alaska has historically voted Republican but recently elected Peltola to its lone, at-large district in 2022.

Sullivan, who previously served as Alaska’s attorney general, first came to the Senate in 2015 and last won re-election in a 53.9% to 41.2% victory over nonpartisan challenger Al Gross.

Alaska will hold its primary on Aug. 18.