Alaska Lieutenant Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom has launched an investigation into Daniel James Sullivan Jr., an Alaska resident who is running against Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan, over concerns that his candidacy would confuse voters and undermine the election.
Dahlstrom penned a letter to Sullivan on Monday saying the Division of Elections will determine whether or not his campaign was launched in “good faith” or if he is just trying to sow confusion ahead of the August primary. Sullivan, who earned the nickname “Decoy Dan,” notably changed his party affiliation to Republican right before running for office, raising suspicions about his motivations. (RELATED: Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan Meets His Match: Another Candidate Named Dan Sullivan)
“The Division of Elections has a fundamental obligation to protect the integrity of Alaska’s elections and ensure voters are not deceived about the identity of the candidates on their ballot,” Dahlstrom said in a statement Monday.
“Serious allegations have been raised concerning this filing in the race for U.S. Senate, and the people of Alaska deserve a thorough and transparent investigation to ensure that the election is carried out properly and without deception,” Dahlstrom continued.
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 11: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) speaks as United States Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command (USNORTHCOM) Commander Gen. Gregory Guillot, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas Security Affairs Mark Ditlevson, and Department of War Principal Deputy General Counsel Charles Young III, appear at a Senate Committee on Armed Services hearing on Capitol Hill on December 11, 2025 in Washington, DC. The hearing is to examine the Trump Administration’s deployment of the National Guard across the United States. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Dahlstrom said there are “credible allegations” that Sullivan had deliberately entered the race to muddy the waters. (RELATED: Democrats Accuse Trump-Voting Pastor Candidate Of Being Republican Plant)
“There are credible allegations that you declared your candidacy in coordination with another candidate and campaign out of intention to confuse and manipulate voters by capitalizing on the fact that you share a first and last name with the incumbent senator and have selected the same political party affiliation,” the letter reads.
The two Sullivans are running against former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola, who was defeated in the 2024 election by Republican Rep. Nick Begich.
Sullivan denied ever working alongside the Peltola campaign, insisting he was naturally interested in running for office, according to the Associated Press (AP).
“I have every right to run for whatever office I’m qualified for, and I’m qualified for this office,” Sullivan said. “I think I’m doing what most Americans would think would be a patriotic thing to do when you’re unsatisfied with the status quo. You stand up and say, I’m going to fight for things I believe that are going to make my community better.”
A Peltola spokesman told the AP that her campaign “has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.”
When reached by the Daily Caller, Dahlstrom’s office declined to comment further while the investigation remains active.
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