Alaska Bars Dan J Sullivan From August Primary Ballot Over 30-Day Appeal Window
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 15
Alaska Bars Dan J Sullivan From August Primary Ballot Over 30-Day Appeal Window
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 15
Summary
Carol Beecher, Alaska's elections director, ruled retired teacher Dan J Sullivan cannot appear on the August primary ballot, finding his filing was not a good-faith Senate candidacy.
Beecher said the campaign appeared designed to confuse voters: he had never voted under that name, had not previously been a Republican, and used branding resembling incumbent Senator Dan S Sullivan.
The ruling followed a state probe launched after Senator Sullivan alleged Democrats were trying to rig the race for Mary Peltola; Beecher's letter did not cite evidence of coordination with Peltola or Democratic officials.
Dan J Sullivan, who has 30 days to appeal, has said he entered the race because he opposes the incumbent's 12-year record and acknowledged his bid was a long shot.
The dispute lands as Alaska's Senate contest feeds into the broader fight for control of the U.S. Senate in November's midterm elections.