Alaska elections director removed Dan J. Sullivan from the U.S. Senate ballot, finding his candidacy was filed to mislead voters; a judge ruled that finding unsupported, the courts put him back on the ballot, and no charges have been reported, 2026

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On June 15, 2026, Alaska Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher issued a final determination, on two complaints filed on behalf of the Alaska Republican Party chair (the ADN reports the complaints came from the party and the National Republican Senatorial Committee), that the preponderance of evidence did not support Daniel J. 'Dan' Sullivan's eligibility because his declaration of candidacy was filed 'with a purpose to confuse or mislead' rather than as a good-faith candidacy, and she de-certified him. She cited his request to appear on the ballot as 'Dan Sullivan', his switch to the Republican Party two days before filing, a campaign website similar to the incumbent's, and a consultant who supports Democratic candidates; the letter says he did not submit additional evidence by the deadline. On June 26, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Thomas Matthews reversed the decision, ruling the division's 'good-faith' requirement does not appear in the U.S. Constitution, Alaska statutes or division regulations and that the director's assertion that he sought to confuse voters 'is not supported by a preponderance of evidence.' On June 29 the Alaska Supreme Court, in a short order, let that ruling stand and said a full opinion would follow; the sources reviewed do not show that opinion has been issued. Separately, on June 8 Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom announced a state investigation citing 'credible allegations' that the candidacy was filed 'in coordination with another campaign with the deliberate intent to confuse Alaska voters,' and NBC News reported in July, citing sources, that the Justice Department was investigating; NBC and Reuters reported on Aug. 18, citing unnamed sources, that a federal grand jury had issued subpoenas. The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed an investigation (Attorney General Todd Blanche declined to discuss whether any exists), Sullivan told Alaska's News Source in early September that the Justice Department had not contacted him, and no charges were reported in the sources reviewed. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (June) and Americans for Public Trust (Sept. 9, alleging coordination with the 907 Initiative advocacy group) also filed FEC complaints; Alaska Public Media reported the FEC lacks the commissioners needed to act, and no FEC determination was found. He finished third in the Aug. 18 primary and remains on the November ballot. Sullivan has said he is a legitimate candidate who is not trying to trick voters and is running because 'our current Senator routinely fail[s] to represent the interests of ordinary Alaskans like me,' and declined to comment on the FEC complaint. The Peltola campaign has said it 'has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.'

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