Alaska Official Threatens to Disqualify Dan Sullivan Challenger Before Aug. 18 Primary as Eligibility Questions Mount
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 12
Alaska Official Threatens to Disqualify Dan Sullivan Challenger Before Aug. 18 Primary as Eligibility Questions Mount
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 12
Summary
Carol Beecher, Alaska’s elections director, told Senate challenger Dan Sullivan he could be removed from the August primary ballot unless he answers by Thursday with more evidence supporting his eligibility.
Two complaints prompted Beecher’s finding that a preponderance of evidence does not support his eligibility, though her letter did not spell out what evidence could justify disqualification.
The retired Petersburg teacher, 69, has denied coordinating with Democrats and says he entered the race on his own, rejecting claims that his matching name and Republican label are meant to siphon votes from incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has separately opened an investigation into whether the candidacy was filed in good faith to seek office rather than confuse voters, drawing criticism from the ACLU of Alaska and former state attorney general Jahna Lindemuth.
The dispute has intensified scrutiny on one of 2026’s key Senate races, with Democrats targeting the seat and Alaska officials already listing the challenger as Dan J. Sullivan and the incumbent as Dan S. Sullivan.