Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan\u2019s re-election campaign is accusing one of his opponents in Alaska and Democrats in Washington of recruiting a candidate with the same first and last name: Dan Sullivan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMary Peltola and D.C. Democrats know they can\u2019t win this race on the issues, so they\u2019ve resorted to dirty, dishonest tactics \u2014 recruiting a sham candidate with the sole purpose of deceiving voters and manipulating Alaska\u2019s election system,\u201d Nate Adams, the senator\u2019s campaign spokesman, said in a statement Tuesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peltola, who served in the House from 2023 to 2025, is the leading Democrat in the race as Sullivan seeks a third term in the Senate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis blatant attempt to confuse and disenfranchise Alaskans undermines confidence in our elections, and if allowed to stand, will deny voters the honest choice they deserve,\u201d Adams added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also warned, \u201cWe are reviewing all of our options and aren\u2019t ruling anything out.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The other Sullivan challenging him announced his campaign for the Senate last week. He describes himself as an elementary school teacher and cancer survivor and said the senator who shares the name \u201chas failed to put Alaska first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Alaska\u2019s Division of Elections, the other Sullivan is a registered Republican, as well. His campaign logo appears to be similar to the logo for the senator\u2019s re-election campaign \u2014 both feature stars and are navy blue, white and yellow-themed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two Senate-seeking Sullivans are not to be confused with Dan Sullivan, the mayor of Anchorage, Alaska. The main distinction between the names of the two running for the Senate are their middle initials \u2014 the senator\u2019s is S., and his new challenger\u2019s is J.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alaska operates under a ranked-choice voting system in which the top four vote-getters advance to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation. The primary election is scheduled for Aug. 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A spokesperson for Peltola\u2019s campaign, Harry Child, denied that the campaign is involved \u201cwith either Sullivan campaign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the other Sullivan\u2019s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n