PETERSBURG, Alaska – On Independence Day, second-term Republican Dan Sullivan and his chief rival in Alaska’s U.S. Senate race, Democrat Mary Peltola, headlined parades. Meanwhile, a different Dan Sullivan, a local resident and candidate, enjoyed the festivities from the sidelines of this small fishing community he has long called home.
Dan J. Sullivan, the challenger, has approached his campaign in a way that defies conventional political norms. He has faced considerable scrutiny due to sharing a name with the incumbent senator, Dan S. Sullivan. This has led to accusations from the incumbent and some GOP allies, suggesting that Dan J. is merely a “sham candidate” working alongside Democrats to confuse voters and bolster Peltola’s chances. Both Dan J. Sullivan and the Peltola campaign have firmly denied these allegations.
The situation escalated when a top state elections official removed Dan J. Sullivan from the ballot, a decision later overturned by the Alaska Supreme Court, which mandated his inclusion.
In Alaska, all candidates, including independents, participate in a single primary election, with the top four candidates advancing to a ranked-choice general election in November. The primary contests can be crowded, featuring over a dozen candidates. Dan J. Sullivan is among 16 contenders vying for the Senate seat, with the incumbent and Peltola being the most prominent figures, having reported campaign fundraising efforts.
Petersburg, where Dan J. Sullivan has lived for decades, is a close-knit island community of approximately 3,000 residents, reachable only by air or water. Many local inhabitants find it hard to reconcile the notion that their neighbor, a retired teacher, could be labeled as a deceptive candidate.
“You really have to do a lot of mental gymnastics to suddenly not respect Dan Sullivan, because he’s honestly a very stand-up human being,” remarked Orin Pierson, the publisher of the Petersburg Pilot newspaper.
Residents of Petersburg are reflecting on their voting choices amidst this unusual political climate. Even those undecided about their votes have criticized attempts to block Dan J. Sullivan from running, emphasizing that he meets the constitutional requirements for candidacy.
“To say somebody can’t run — that he’s fake — that’s fear,” expressed Linda Bunge, who attended a community potluck at a local park. Although she leans toward voting for Peltola, she remains open to Dan J. Sullivan as a candidate.
Jeigh Stanton Gregor, a borough Assembly member and former colleague of Dan J. Sullivan at the local elementary school, stated that he was surprised by Sullivan’s decision to run, noting the candidate’s unimpeachable character. Stanton Gregor plans to observe the campaign’s progression before making a decision.
“Being a good human carries a lot of weight with me,” he added, highlighting his focus on personal integrity over party affiliation.
The political landscape became even more complicated when Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom announced an investigation into Dan J. Sullivan’s campaign, citing “credible allegations” of collusion with another candidate to manipulate voter perceptions. This claim emerged after a lawyer for the National Republican Senatorial Committee suggested that Dan J. Sullivan’s connections with a consultant linked to Democrats constituted an effort to mislead voters.
Dan J. Sullivan vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that they were unfounded and that the previous work of a consultant should not warrant an investigation. Both the state Democratic Party and campaign groups have dismissed claims of any affiliation with him. Following a court ruling, Dan J. Sullivan was reinstated on the ballot, as the judge found insufficient evidence to support the disqualification.
Despite seeking to capitalize on his name recognition, Dan J. Sullivan is officially listed as Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., without party affiliation, while the incumbent is noted as Republican Dan S. Sullivan, with the designation of “incumbent” absent from other candidates.
Dan J. Sullivan expressed concerns regarding fairness in this labeling but acknowledged that it could help alleviate voter confusion. He is aware that his name provides him an advantage in a crowded field and is strategizing on how to maximize his campaign’s visibility.
“I want something to change, and it’s my right to do that,” he stated. “I could put up a yard sign; I could write letters. In this case, I thought, wow, this would reach a lot more people.”
While there wasn’t a single issue that prompted Dan J. Sullivan to run, he expressed frustration over the perceived unresponsiveness of the current senator. His concerns extend to a compensation fund proposed by the Trump administration and the potential for those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot to benefit from it.
Sullivan has voiced worries about how President Trump’s tariff policies and geopolitical tensions may be affecting costs for Alaskans. Moreover, he believes that the healthcare funding promoted by the incumbent has not adequately addressed the immediate healthcare needs faced by rural communities like Petersburg.
In Petersburg, residents face significant challenges in accessing specialized healthcare,
