Two Dans, four choices, one big headache for GOP in Alaska Senate race
Republicans are sweating what a four-way ballot and ranked-choice tabulation with a same-name rival could mean for Sen. Dan Sullivan’s reelection bid.
Alaska Republicans are bracing for a potential setback in their Senate race due to the ranked-choice voting system, which could allow a challenger with a similar name to siphon votes away from Republican Sen. Dan S. Sullivan. The two similarly named candidates, Dan S. Sullivan and Dan J. Sullivan Jr., are competing in the four-way general election field.
Some GOP operatives fear that the senator may lose first-choice votes to the alternative candidate, potentially giving the race to Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who has been projected as the winner in recent polls. The ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to rank their preferences, has been criticized by Republicans for being costly and confusing.
Despite this, the GOP has been pushing to repeal the system via a ballot measure, fearing that even a small percentage of votes could make a difference in the close contest.
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