A retired teacher from Petersburg, Alaska, has asked an Anchorage Superior Court to reinstate him on the August primary ballot for U.S. Senate after state election officials disqualified him days earlier, claiming he was running not to win but to confuse voters into casting ballots against the incumbent who shares his name.
The filing sets up a fast-moving legal battle over whether Alaska can police a candidate’s motives, with ballots scheduled for printing this weekend in one of the cycle’s most closely watched Senate races.
Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher disqualified Dan J. Sullivan on June 15, stating that his declaration of candidacy “was not filed in order to declare an actual good-faith candidacy” but instead was filed “with a purpose to confuse or mislead” voters in the race against Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska.
Beecher cited the retired educator’s recent switch in party registration to Republican, similarities between his campaign website and the senator’s, and his work with a consultant whose clients have included Democrats.
Sullivan’s attorneys argue that Beecher exceeded her authority.
The U.S. Constitution requires candidates for the Senate to be at least 30 years old, citizens of the United States, and residents of the state they seek to represent.
“Nothing in Alaska law regulates in any way the private motivations that draw individuals to declare or campaign for office,” the filing by attorneys Jeffrey Robinson, Bryn Pallesen, and Zoe Eisberg states.
They contend the division “abused its discretion and exceeded its statutory jurisdiction.”
The dispute came before Alaska lawmakers the same afternoon.
A joint hearing of the House Judiciary and State Affairs committees heard testimony that the regulation Beecher relied on—which bars names that are “confusing or misleading”—does not authorize her to police candidate intent.
Rep. Andrew Gray, D-Anchorage, who chairs Judiciary, said the division was effectively adding a constitutional qualification by screening candidates based on their motives.
Beecher and Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom did not attend; a follow-up hearing is set for July 22.
The challenger, a former U.S. Forest Service worker who later taught elementary school, entered the race days before the June 1 filing deadline.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee and Sen. Sullivan have called him a sham candidate working to boost former Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska, who lost her House seat in January 2025 and is the incumbent’s most prominent challenger.
Peltola’s campaign, state Democrats, and the challenger have denied any coordination.
Asked by The Associated Press whether he had spoken with Peltola’s team, Sullivan said, “Zero, none, zilch.”
Beecher’s disqualification order did not cite evidence of coordination.
Time is short. Beecher has stated that ballots are due at the printer Sunday for the Aug. 18 primary, in which the top four finishers across party lines advance to a ranked-choice general election.
Alaska Department of Law spokesperson Sam Curtis said the state will defend the division’s decision and expects a swift ruling.
