Primaries for the midterm elections are currently taking place in the US state of Alaska. One name appears twice on the list of candidates: Dan Sullivan. This causes confusion, including for the current incumbent, Dan Sullivan.
June 13, 2026, 12:00 p.mJune 13, 2026, 12:00 p.m
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan is already in trouble at the polls. Because his name is on the list of candidates for the primaries in Alaska twice. Strictly speaking, there is Dan Sullivan – meaning the current incumbent, Daniel Scott Sullivan – and Dan J. Sullivan, a newcomer who has jumped into the political race. He also wants to run for the Republicans, as US media reports.
However, Daniel James Sullivan Junior is much less well-known than his competitor of the same name. He submitted his candidacy at the last moment – three days before the deadline. He grew up in the Chicago area and is a former teacher. He now lives in Alaska.
Daniel James Sullivan Junior is a retired teacher and wants to get involved in politics.Image: AP Karen Dillman
And because so much is uncertain, Republicans suspect fraud. They think Dan J. Sullivan was put into the race by the Democrats. According to Fox News, the advisor to Dan S. Sullivan’s Democratic challenger in Alaska, Mary Peltola, is said to be supporting the newcomer in his campaign. “He is deliberately trying to deceive my voters,” the incumbent senator also told the AP news agency.
Senator Daniel Scott Sullivan believes his voters are being deceived.Image: AP
The dispute has now gotten so far that the top election official has initiated an investigation. In a letter, the political newcomer defends himself: “I’m running because I’m tired of sitting there and watching our current senator fail to represent the interests of ordinary Alaskans like me,” it says loudly Washington Post in it. The fact that he has the same name insults and motivates him even more. Friends have been joking about it for years.
The investigation is ongoing, but Dan S. Sullivan Junior faces expulsion. Nevertheless, he insists on his sincerity. He told the media he did nothing wrong.
The political newcomer also has supporters.Image: AP
16 candidates have stood for the primaries in Alaska. The four with the most votes will then move on to the actual midterm elections in November. (front)