Candidate With Same Name as Sen. Dan Sullivan Ordered Onto Alaska Primary Ballot
A candidate with the same name and party affiliation as incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has been ordered onto the Alaska primary ballot following a series of legal rulings. The candidate, Daniel James Sullivan Jr., 69, a retired teacher from Petersburg, Alaska, had been disqualified by the state elections division but was reinstated through court orders.
Legal Timeline
"The good-faith standard used by the elections division was not based on constitutional or statutory requirements." — Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews
On Monday, Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher ruled that Daniel James Sullivan Jr. was ineligible for the August primary ballot. Beecher stated the candidate's declaration of candidacy was not filed in good faith but with an intent to confuse or mislead voters. The challenger was given the option to appeal.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews reversed that decision on Friday, ruling that the good-faith standard used by the elections division was not based on constitutional or statutory requirements. Matthews ordered both the incumbent and challenger to appear on the August 18 primary ballot.
The Alaska Supreme Court heard arguments on Monday and issued a brief ruling affirming the lower court decision. The court found that the Division of Elections had abused its discretion in disqualifying the challenger. The case was sent back to the division to determine how the challenger should be listed on the ballot within existing ballot design law.
Background
The challenger filed his candidacy days before the June 1 deadline. Incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan and fellow Republicans alleged that the challenger was coordinating with Democrats to aid former Democratic U.S. Representative Mary Peltola. Both the challenger and Peltola's campaign denied these allegations.
Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom initiated an investigation into the challenger's candidacy, citing credible allegations of coordination with another campaign. Two complaints seeking disqualification were filed by Alaska Republican Party Chair Carmela Warfield.
"I entered the race due to dissatisfaction with the incumbent's 12-year record." — Daniel James Sullivan Jr., denying allegations of coordination
The challenger stated he entered the race due to dissatisfaction with the incumbent's 12-year record and denied allegations of coordination with any other campaign.
Ballot Process
Alaska uses a single-ballot non-partisan primary system where all candidates appear on the same primary ballot regardless of party affiliation. The top four candidates proceed to the general election in November, which uses ranked-choice voting.
Ballots must be printed by June 28.
Statements
Jeffrey Robinson, attorney for the challenger, said he expects the division to comply with ballot design law.
Sam Curtis, spokesperson for the state Department of Law, said the state appreciates the quick ruling and will work to implement the order.
Nate Adams, spokesperson for Senator Sullivan's campaign, expressed disappointment but said the campaign is encouraged that the elections director will be able to differentiate between the candidates. Senator Sullivan's campaign manager previously praised Beecher's disqualification decision as upholding a free and fair election.
Protesters in Juneau opposed the removal of the challenger, arguing the issue could have been resolved with middle initials.