Republican with same name as incumbent Dan Sullivan advances from Alaska
US Senate primary
[August 26, 2026]
By BECKY BOHRER
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A candidate with the same name as Alaska’s
incumbent U.S. senator advanced Tuesday to the general election in what
will be one of the most closely watched races in the country this fall.
Dan J. Sullivan, who goes by Dan Sullivan, was among the top four
finishers after the Aug. 18 primary and moved on to the November
matchup, which is a ranked choice contest. The incumbent, Republican
Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola also
have advanced.
The challenger Sullivan, a retired teacher from the island community of
Petersburg, sued for a spot on the ballot and succeeded after a judge
invalidated a decision by a top state elections official who said he had
filed his candidacy with an intent to confuse voters. The allegation was
driven by claims raised by the senator and his GOP allies. The state
Supreme Court ultimately ordered Dan J. Sullivan eligible for the
ballot.
While the challenger sought to appear on the ballot as Republican Dan J.
Sullivan, the Division of Elections listed him as Daniel J. Sullivan
Jr., with no party affiliation. The senator was listed as Dan S.
Sullivan, Republican and incumbent.
A call seeking comment from the challenger was not immediately returned
Tuesday, and emails to campaign staff for the senator also were not
immediately returned.
President Donald Trump endorsed Sen. Sullivan for reelection and called
the other Sullivan’s candidacy an attempt to trick voters. Dan J.
Sullivan criticized the incumbent for embracing Trump’s endorsement and
said the president was “more interested in raising tariffs on our allies
than in lowering the cost of groceries, housing and energy.”
It was too early to determine who would fill the fourth and final slot
in the Senate general election race.
The Senate race was one of three major contests on Alaska’s primary
ballot, which also featured races for the state’s lone U.S. House seat
and governor.
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Dan Sullivan, a candidate in Alaska's U.S. Senate race who shares
his name with the incumbent seeking reelection, talks with a
reporter, July 3, 2026, in Petersburg, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky
Bohrer, File)
In the congressional race, Republican Rep. Nick Begich, seeking a second
term, advanced earlier to the general election along with independent
Bill Hill. The other two spots remained too early to call.
Democrats Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins and Tom Begich, former state
lawmakers, advanced on election night in the race for governor, topping
a field of mostly Republican candidates all vying to succeed Republican
Gov. Mike Dunleavy. Tom Begich is Nick Begich’s uncle. Republican
Bernadette Wilson also advanced on Tuesday, with the fourth spot
remaining too early to call.
The state accepts absentee and overseas ballots up to 10 days after the
primary as long as they were postmarked by election day.
The incumbent Sullivan and Peltola are the leading candidates in the
Senate race, after raising the most money and having statewide name
recognition. It’s one of a handful of Senate races around the country
considered competitive and pivotal for both parties’ hopes of
controlling the chamber.
Dan J. Sullivan’s presence on the general election ballot adds a twist
to the race because of Alaska’s ranked choice voting system. Under it,
candidates who finish third or fourth in the general election can play a
crucial role in deciding the eventual winner if their supporters rank
other choices beyond them.
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