Alaska Probes Senate Candidate Over Name Confusion

Alaska election officials have launched an investigation into a U.S. Senate candidate over allegations his campaign is designed to confuse voters by sharing the name of the incumbent Republican senator. The inquiry, initiated by Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom, who oversees the Division of Elections, centers on Daniel James Sullivan Jr., who filed to run as a Republican in the August 18 primary.

The challenger, a retired teacher and former U.S. Forest Service employee from Petersburg, shares his first and last name with incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan, who is seeking a third term. The state’s online candidate list distinguishes them by middle initial, listing the senator as Dan S. Sullivan and the challenger as Dan J. Sullivan.

In a letter sent on June 8, Dahlstrom notified the challenger of the investigation, stating the Division of Elections has a fundamental obligation to protect the integrity of Alaska’s elections and ensure voters are not deceived. She asked him to respond under oath by noon on June 10 to questions about his party registration history and any contact with other candidates or Democratic Party agents. The letter also inquired if he would object to...