WorldNews Service
Challenger with same name as US Sen. Dan Sullivan is ineligible for Alaska ballot, official says
By The Associated Press
Published: June 18, 2026 at 9:33PM EDT
In this image provided by Karen Dillman, Alaska Senate candidate Dan Sullivan, one of the challengers to the incumbent senator, also named Dan Sullivan, poses for a photo on a hike, Sunday, June 7, 2026, on Kupreanof Island, near Petersburg, Alaska. (Karen Dillman via AP)
An Alaska candidate who shares the same name as U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has been ruled ineligible to appear on the state's ballot, an official confirmed Wednesday. The decision marks a significant development in the race for the Senate seat, as the challenger, also named Dan Sullivan, had been running against the incumbent Republican senator.
The Alaska Division of Elections determined that the candidate did not meet the residency requirements necessary to qualify for the ballot. According to state law, candidates must be residents of Alaska for at least one year prior to the election. The challenger, who moved to Alaska in 2024, fell short of that requirement, officials said.
The incumbent senator, Dan Sullivan, is seeking a third term. He has held the seat since 2015. The challenger, a political newcomer, had campaigned on issues such as resource development and veterans' affairs. Neither Dan Sullivan responded to requests for comment.
The ruling is likely to reduce competition in the Republican primary, where the incumbent faces minimal opposition. The general election is scheduled for November 2026.
