Trump administration sues Alaska over two Dan Sullivans on ballot

The federal government claims that the candidacy of Dan J. Sullivan, who is challenging Senator Dan S. Sullivan, could lead to a “tainted” electoral outcome.ANCHORAGE, Alaska (CN) — Earlier this year, Alaska’s state government fought hard to prevent Dan J. Sullivan, a fishing enthusiast and former teacher from the state’s temperate southeast, from running against incumbent Senator Dan S. Sullivan.Those efforts failed in June when the Alaska Supreme Court protected the fisherman’s candidacy, affirming a lower court decision.But on Thursday, the federal government sued Alaska and its Division of Elections director Carol Beecher, potentially putting the final results of the race in question by arguing that “voter confusion” could cost the incumbent his seat in a contest against Democrat Mary Peltola.The Ohio-born Republican senator, members of his party and Alaska state officials, including Beecher, have portrayed Dan J. Sullivan as a spoiler candidate. The Petersburg resident filed to run as a Republican but, per a Division of Elections decision, will appear on the ballot without a party affiliation.“The sole purpose of [Dan J. Sullivan’s] candidacy is to benefit the Peltola campaign by reducing the number of votes for Senator Sullivan,” the federal government, represented by the Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, wrote in the complaint.In August, Dan J. Sullivan told Courthouse News that he was running based solely on his own convictions: disappointment with Senator Sullivan’s representation and desire for change.“It’s a free country,” he said. “Most Alaskans are proud Independents and it’s my sincere hope that people know who and what they are voting for but ultimately, choice is good and voters’ intent will be as varied as the candidates who are running.”Alaska uses a ranked choice voting system in its general election, and the two Sullivans are visibly differentiated on the ballot.Dan J. Sullivan and Senator Dan S. Sullivan listed on the Alaska primary ballot. The state’s Division of Elections had previously tried to exclude the former Sullivan. (Alaska Division of Elections)The scenario the federal government describe as an “election result that may be impacted by voter confusion” would occur if Senator Sullivan lost the election to former congresswoman Peltola, but would have won if all votes for Dan J. Sullivan went to the incumbent instead.Arguing that such an outcome would violate the National Voter Registration Act, the Trump administration is asking U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason to prevent defendants from “certifying any result that may be impacted by voter confusion … pending an investigation to determine whether votes cast for Daniel J. Sullivan were meant to be cast for Senator Sullivan.”On Wednesday, President Donald Trump called Dan J. Sullivan’s candidacy a “SCAM” on Truth Social and foreshadowed Thursday’s lawsuit. “We are looking at powerful legal options to remove the fraudulent Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. from the Ballot, and holding the Democrats accountable for their Election Interference, in the pursuit of Justice and Fairness,” he said.The Department of Justice and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska did not immediately respond to requests for comment.Carol Beecher and other Alaska elections officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads