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Two Dan Sullivans Will Appear on Alaska’s Senate Ballot

Federal grand jury subpoenas plus Alaska’s ranked‑choice rules raise legal and strategic stakes that could influence control of the U.S. Senate.

Overview

  • Projections on Wednesday showed Dan J. Sullivan, a retired teacher, advanced from Alaska’s top‑four primary to join incumbent Sen. Dan S. Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola on the November ranked‑choice ballot.
  • The Alaska Supreme Court earlier ordered officials to place Dan J. Sullivan on the ballot after the state elections director tried to disqualify him for allegedly running to confuse voters.
  • Federal prosecutors have issued grand jury subpoenas seeking information tied to the Dan J. Sullivan campaign as part of a probe into whether the candidacy was designed to mislead voters.
  • Because Alaska’s general election uses ranked‑choice voting, third‑ and fourth‑place finishers and voters’ second choices could decide a close race where small vote transfers matter.
  • The contest is nationally significant because Democrats view Mary Peltola as a pickup chance that could affect Senate control, and the same‑name and legal fights have sharpened partisan claims and outside attention.