Democrats eye potential Senate flip in Alaska with 2 GOP Dan Sullivans on the ballot

In a potential Senate flip scenario in Alaska, there are two Republican Dan Sullivans currently on the ballot, along with Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola. The race for the top-four primary could determine control of the Senate next year. Incumbent Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, supported by President Donald Trump, faces off against former Democratic congresswoman Mary Peltola.

Earlier this summer, the two faced off in a heated primary when Dan J. Sullivan, a retired fifth-grade teacher, challenged incumbent Dan S. Sullivan. Dan J. Sullivan claims he was planted by Democrats to confuse voters, a claim President Trump dismissed as "democratic trickery." Other Republicans have also complained about the situation, and the Justice Department is investigating.

Alaska's Division of Elections, led by Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, ruled that Dan J. Sullivan should be removed from the ballot, citing his candidacy was not in good faith and intended to confuse or mislead voters. Dan J. Sullivan sued, and the Alaska Supreme Court ruled in his favor, allowing him to remain on the ballot.

Due to Alaska's nonpartisan top-four primary system, both Dan Sullivans and Peltola could appear on the November ballot. Democrats are supporting Peltola, who has prior statewide race experience and a moderate platform. Senator Dan S. Sullivan is a two-term incumbent, while Mary Peltola was the first indigenous member of Congress and the first woman to hold Alaska's House seat.

The Begich family, prominent in Alaska politics, is also represented with Republican Rep. Nick Begich III running for reelection and his uncle, former state Senate Minority Leader Tom Begich, running for governor as a Democrat. Governor Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, is term-limited, creating an open field in the gubernatorial primary.

Alaska has not had a Democratic governor since 2002, and current Governor Bill Walker, who served from 2014 to 2018, is running as an independent candidate. All candidates on Alaska's ballot, regardless of party affiliation, are listed together, and voters select one candidate.