Alaska Senate race turns on two Dan Sullivans after New York Times reports Democratic recruitment effort

Alaska’s U.S. Senate contest has become one of the most contested races of the 2026 midterms after a New York Times report described an effort by Democratic operatives linked to Mary Peltola’s campaign to recruit a candidate sharing the name of Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. The second candidate, retired teacher Daniel J. Sullivan of Petersburg, appears on the November 3 ballot as unaffiliated. The race uses ranked-choice voting and could decide Senate control.

The Times reported that Peltola campaign staff and national Democratic allies conducted a “ballot composition project” that included searching voter records for other men named Dan Sullivan. Elisa Rios, a former Peltola campaign manager, told the paper that Peltola was aware of the effort though not directly involved in day-to-day recruitment. Daniel J. Sullivan has said he entered the race independently because he was dissatisfied with the incumbent. Alaska election officials initially disqualified him; the state Supreme Court ordered his name restored in June.

Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, ordered a state investigation after the Times story. The Justice Department, which had already sued to block certification if votes for the second Sullivan proved decisive, issued additional grand-jury subpoenas. President Trump called the arrangement “cheating” and demanded that both Peltola and the second Sullivan be removed from the ballot. Peltola has denied knowledge of any recruitment scheme.

On the ballot the incumbent is listed as “Dan S. Sullivan,” “Registered Republican” and “incumbent.” The second candidate appears as “Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.” without party affiliation. In the August primary, Peltola received 49.5 percent, the incumbent 41.4 percent, and Daniel J. Sullivan 2.5 percent. Four candidates advanced: Peltola, both Sullivans, and Republican Gerald Heikes.

Alaska’s ranked-choice system allows voters to rank candidates. If no one reaches 50 percent on the first count, the lowest finisher is eliminated and votes redistributed. Republicans argue that even a modest number of confused first-choice votes for the second Sullivan could prevent the incumbent from winning outright and complicate later rounds. Democrats counter that ballot design clearly distinguishes the two men and that voters in a small state know the incumbent.

The Department of Justice lawsuit asks a court to prevent certification if the incumbent loses by less than the votes received by Daniel J. Sullivan. Critics of the suit note that states administer elections and that preemptive challenges to certification are rare. The Alaska Supreme Court has already ruled that the second candidate met legal requirements to appear on the ballot.

High heating-oil prices and other local economic pressures have made the seat competitive in a state that normally votes Republican. Polling averages treat the race as a toss-up. Control of the Senate may hinge on this and a handful of other contests. Early voting is underway. Final results under ranked-choice counting could take days after polls close on November 3.

The episode illustrates how ballot design, name recognition and ranked-choice rules can interact in a close race. Whether the second Sullivan’s presence changes the outcome will be known only after ballots are counted. State and federal investigations into the recruitment claims will continue after Election Day. For now, both candidates remain on the ballot under the labels the state has approved.