Two Dan Sullivans to appear on Alaska’s US Senate ballot in November’s midterm elections

Dan S Sullivan and Dan J Sullivan, two Alaskans with nearly identical names and affiliations, will be listed on the state's U.S. Senate ballot in November's midterm elections. This peculiar situation has added an extra layer of complexity to what is already expected to be a fiercely contested race.

The incumbent senator, Dan S Sullivan, has vehemently criticized his lookalike rival, Dan J Sullivan. The latter, a retired school teacher and former US Forest Service employee, is reportedly running as a Republican at the behest of Democrats. His primary aim, according to the incumbent, is to confuse supporters of Dan S Sullivan and potentially split their votes.

Dan J Sullivan entered the race earlier this year, causing Alaska's election officials to disqualify him. However, the state supreme court later reversed this decision. In the June primary, Dan J Sullivan garnered 2.5% of the vote, significantly less than the overwhelming support of his Democratic opponent, Mary Peltola, and Dan S Sullivan himself. Both Dan S Sullivan and Dan J Sullivan are currently neck-and-neck with Peltola in the polls.

Alaska uses ranked-choice voting for general elections, which could potentially complicate the voting process for residents. If voters confuse the two Dan Sullivans, their votes might end up going to the incumbent Dan S Sullivan. Regardless, Dan J Sullivan's candidacy poses a potential threat to Dan S Sullivan's re-election prospects.